/<z-«^ 


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Loring's  Railway  Library. 


VIRGINIA  GRIHAM, 


THE 


'P  of  t|c  filranir  |^rmj. 


By  JUSTIN  JONES. 


LORING,   Publisher 


BOSTON 


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INTO  THE   LIGHT  i   or,  THE  JEWESS 

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DIXIE  COOKERY.      By  Mrs.  Barringer,  of  North  Carolina. 

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YIRGINIA  GRAHAM,  ^*^ 


GOLLECl 


THE 


SPY  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY. 


Bt    JUSTIN    JONES. 


LORIN'G-,  Piablisher, 

319    Washington     Street, 
B  O  STOK. 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 

(^ 

1 

w 

THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 

Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1867,  by  Justin  Jones,  in  the  District 
Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


Bockwell  &  Rollins,  Printers  and  Stereotypcrs, 
122  Washington  Street,  Boston. 


PREFACE 


This  romantic  but  "  plain,  unvarnished  tale  "  was  neither  picked  up  on  a  battle-field, 
nor  found  in  a  dead  soldier's  haversack,  nor  abstracted  from  the  collection  of  military- 
souvenirs  at  Washington,  West  Point,  or  elsewhere ;  nor  was  it  collated  from  the  mul- 
titudinous Histories  or  Fictions  of  the  ever  memorable  campaign  which  gloriously  culmi- 
nated in  the  reduction  and  surrender  of  the  "  Gibraltar  of  the  Mssissippi,"  nor  from 
the  many  "  Lives  "  or  biographies,  of  the  heroes  who  behaved  so  gallantly  during  the 
great  siege.  Nevertheless,  we  find  the  !Mss.  in  our  possession  ;  and,  as  we  know  of  no 
one  to  claim  its  paternity,  we  take  the  responsibility  of  being  its  putative  father;  and 
if  any  one  of  its  living  characters  feels  aggrieved  in  being  thus  exhibited  for  the  edi- 
fication of  (he  hopes)  a  million  of  readers,  he  asks  their  pardon,  and  holds  himself  in 
i-eadiness  to  make  such  amends  or  explanations  as  may  be  demanded  by  them,  and 
absolutely  due  from  him.  J-  J' 

Bkookline,  a.  d.,  1868. 


602977 


VIRGINIA   aHAHAM. 


CHAPTER  I. 

VIRGINIA  THE  VIVANDIERE.     THE  INUNDATED 
CITY.       AN    EPISODE   IN  MY  OWN  HISTORY. 

Each  night  I  fervently  exclaimed,  "  God 
bless  Virginia  Graham  !  " 

She  was  the  Vivandiere  of  the  gallant 
— ^th  Regiment,  Illinois  Volunteers.  I  nev- 
er, since  she  was  revealed  to  me,  went  into 
a  battle  or  a  sku-mish ;  I  never  went  on  a 
march,  or  on  a  foraging  or  scouting  expedi- 
tion ;  I  never  bivouacked  for  a  night,  or  ad- 
dressed myself  to  Somnus  on  the  tented 
field,  or  in  trench  or  barracks,  without  first 
invoking  God's  blessing  on  that  bright  and 
beautiful  being,  our  brave,  gentle,  amiable 
Vivandiere 

I  doubt  not  that  there  were  others  who 
entertained  as  deep  an  afiection  for  her  as  I 
did,  and' would  as  willingly  have  risked  their 
lives  in  her  defence,  but  I  am  sceptical  in 
beUeviug  that  there  was  another  to  whose 
mind  she  was  onmipresent. 

On  long,  weary  marches — during  the  mo- 
notonous hours  and  days  in  camp — ^in  the 
din  and  heat  of  battle,  or  on  the  formal  pa- 
rade, she  was  either  present  to  my  eye  or 
mind.  And  I  knew  not  why.  My  brain 
never  wearied  in  thinking  of  her,  nor  my 
eyes  in  gazing  upon  her. 

Yet  for  all  this  I  was  married — married 
to  one  I  most  devotedly  loved;  and  had 
parted  from  her,  too,  before  the  days  of  our 


honey  moon  had  expu-ed,  to  join  the  patriot- 
ic army  of  the  Union ;  and  stranger  yet, 
whenever  she  was  the  subject  of  my  medi- 
tation, the  graceful  Vivandiere  would  be 
certain  to  be  her  inseparable  companion. 

I  enlisted  as  a  private,  but  for  doing  my 
duty  at  the  battles  of  Shiloh  and  Pittsburgh 
Landing, — which  duty  my  colonel  styled  in 
his  despatches  gallant  services, — I  was  hon- 
ored with  a  second-Ueutenant's  commission, 
and  before  the  Grand  Army  had  concentrar 
ted  around  and  near  Vicksburg,  I  had  won 
a  captain's  commission,  and  had  command 
of  the  color  company  of  our  regiment. 

Virginia,  the  Vivandiere,  under  an  order 
superior  to  my  own,  quartered  with  my  com- 
mand ;  and  that  she  might  be  constantly  un- 
der such  protection  as  I  could  afibrd  her, 
she  slept  within  my  tent,  which  I  divided 
mto  two  apartments  by  a  piece  of  canvas 
that  was  stretched  entu-ely  across  the  centre  ; 
and  as  a  fm-ther  protection,  and  to  avoid  all 
possibility  of  scandal,  I  permitted  a  negress 
— an  intelligent  contraband  woman — Aunt 
Clemmy,  as  she  was  invariably  called — to 
quarter  with  her. 

Aunt  Clemmy  was  an  indispensable  per- 
sonage about  the  camp,  for  she  contrived, 
with  her  own  hands,  to  do  the  washing  for 
all  the  officers  of  our  regiment,  and  appar- 
ently with  no  extraordinary  exertion. 

We  had  taken  her  from  a  deserted  plan- 
tation, near  Coiinth,  at  her  own  request ; 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


and  she  was  often  heard  to  say  that  she  had 
"  radder  brae  de  boots  and  scrub  de  clotlies 
ob  de  ossifers  ob  de  Union  army,  dan  wait 
'pon  IMissus  Talywanglee  (her  former  mis- 
tress) in  de  parlor." 

I  have  yet  to  describe  the  person  of  our 
Vivandiere.  To  say  that  she  was  the  hand- 
somest girl  I  ever  beheld — notwithstandmg 
I  sincerely  aver  it — will  convey  to  my  read- 
ers no  conception  of  her  peculiar  chanus  ; 
and,  perhaps,  they  may  diflfer  with  me  in 
many  essential  particulars  as  to  those  points 
which  constitute  genume  female  beauty  and 
loveliness. 

To  premise  :  Virginia  Graham,  I  judged 
to  be  not  less  than  eighteen  nor  more  than 
nineteen  years  of  age  ;  though  anomalous  as 
it  may  seem,  she  declared  herself  but  a  few 
weeks  under  twenty. 

She  was  in  the  full  bloom  of  womanhood, 
of  medium  height,  and  though  not  in  the 
least  degi'ee  masculine,  her  peculiar  costume 
made  her  fi<mro  somewhat  resemble  the 
stately  Minerva  rather  than  that  of  the 
sylph-like  Venus. 

Her  eyes  were  large,  almond-shaped,  blue 
as  a  cerulean  sky  and  bright  as  sappliires, 
shaded  by  long,  dark,  silken  lashes,  and 
overarched  by  eyebrows  that  relieved  a  no- 
ble forehead  of  a  small  degi'ce  of  its  intel- 
lectual proportions. 

Her  featui-es,  in  profile  view,  resembled 
the  Grecian  type  and  the  Grecian  standard 
of  female  beauty,  but  a  front  view  of  her 
face  disclosed  an  inexpressible  sweetness, 
and  at  the  same  time  an  animated,  Advacious 
expression  even  in  its  calm  moments,  but 
greatly  heightened  when  conversing  or  sing- 
ing,— in  both  of  which  accomplishments  she 
excelled — or  while  excited  by  gazing  upon 
any  imposing  or  merry  scene. 

Her  complexion  was  fair,  with  a  slight 
tinge  of  brown  upon  her  cheeks,  indicating 
an  exposui-e  to  the  sun  and  an-  of  a  warm 
climate. 

She  might  have  boasted  of  having  pos- 
sessed, but  recently,  long  tresses  of  dark 


brown  curls,  floating  luxuriantly  over  her 
neck  and  shoulders,  but  on  entering  her 
present  vocftion  she  had  willingly  p:u-ted 
with  the  surplus  profusion,  and  now  it  was 
just  long  enough  to  curl  naturally  and  thick- 
ly about  her  neck,  and  not  rerpxiring  either 
net  or  comb  to  keep  it  in  its  proper  place. 

There  was  a  dignified  charm  and  simplic- 
ity in  her  whole  demeanor  that  implied  a 
self-relying  determination  neither  to  suspect 
or  be  apprehensive  of  evil. 

The  consciousness  of  possessing  superior 
channs  there  was  a  total  absence  of,  as  was 
plainly  denoted  in  her  frank,  genial  counte- 
nance. 

Her  form  was  symmetrical  in  all  its  pro- 
portions. Her  step  elastic  and  graceful,  and 
when  occasion  required  she  could  be  as  fleet 
of  foot  as  the  most  active  pedestrians  of  the 
regiment. 

Eiding  horseback  like  another  Die  Ver- 
non, firing  the  rifle  or  pistol  with  the  precis- 
ion of  a  practised  mai-ksman,  fencing  with 
the  small  sword,  or  handling  the  musket  like 
a  drill  sergeant,  were  not  among  the  least 
prized  or  useful  accomplishmefits  of  the  field 
and  camp,  which  our  heroine  possessed  in  a 
wonderful  degree  for  one  of  her  sex. 

The  Vivandiere's  costume  deserves  brief 
mention.  When  in  full  dress  she  wore  a 
richly-embroidered  Zouave  jacket  of  dark 
blue  cloth,  to  which  was  attached  a  full  kir- 
tle  just  long  enough  to  avoid  the  conceal- 
ment of  a  pan-  of  small  feet  and  ankles,  en- 
cased in  hidi  and  wcU-fittinGr  laced  boots. 
This  kiiile  or  sku't  was  of  alternate  stripes 
of  red  and  white,  running  diagonally  down- 
wards from  the  waist,  and  terminating  with 
a  stripe  of  aziu-e  blue,  oraamented  with  sil- 
ver stars,  and  encu-eling  its  entire  lower  cir- 
cumference. The  zone  about  her  waist  also 
corresponded  with  the  tennination  of  the 
ku-tle. 

This  emblematical  costume  gave  her  the 
sobriquets  of  '  Little  Union,'  '  Stars  and 
Stripe?,'  '  Goddess  of  Liberty,'  etc.,  among 
the  soldiers. 


SPY    OF   THE    GEAND    AEMY. 


She  wore  a  jaunty-lookmg  straw  hat — not 
unlike  a  style  frequently  worn  by  the  maid- 
ens of  the  North  —  with  tri-color  ribbons 
streaming  down  the  back  from  the  crowTi, 
while  in  front  the  wing  of  an  eaglet  was 
gracefully  set,  and  fastened  by  a  circlet  of 
tiny  silver  stars,  in  the  centre  of  wliich  was 
emblazoned  the  letter  U,  worked  in  gold 
thread,  denoting  her  position  in  the  regi- 
ment. 

I<a  Vivandiere  was  always  well  armed. 
She  eaiTied  by  her  side  a  light,  well-tem- 
pered sword ;  a  brace  of  small,  effective  re- 
volvei's,  concealed  beneath  her  Zouave  jack- 
et ;  and  a  richly-eased,  gem-hilted  poniard, 
suspended  &om  the  starry  belt  around  her 
waist. 

The  never-faOing  canteen,  which  gave  life 
and  vigor  to  many  fainting  waiTiors,  hung 
beneath  her  left  arm  from  a  stout  green  cord 
slung  across  her  right  shoulder. 

When  on  the  march,  or  on  the  battle 
field,  she  carried  in  addition  to  her  canteen, 
a  small,  highly  finished  keg,  of  the  capacity 
of  half  a  gallon,  and  which  vessel,  no  mat- 
ter how  freely  its  contents  were  dispensed, 
appeared  never  to  be  empty ;  indeed  there 
was  always  a  timely  di-aught  for  the  parched 
lips  and  throat  of  a  wounded  or  fainting  sol- 
dier. 

I  have  thus  described  the  heroine  of  my 
nan-ative  as  well  as  my  limited  command  of 
language  will  permit,  but  it  fails  to  do  her 
justice ;  her  strength  of  character,  her  pow- 
er of  accomplishing  almost  incredible  things, 
and  her  many  vii-tues,  will  be  hereafter  de- 
veloped in  the  eoui'se  of  my  narration  of  the 
perilous  scenes  thi-ough  which  she  passed, 
and  in  many  of  which  I  was  an  humble  par- 
ticipant. 

Dui'ing  the  houi-s  off  duty,  I  did  not  fail 
to  obseiTe  that  Miss  Graham  was  the  almost 
inseparable  companion  of  a  drummer-boy, 
much  younger  than  herself — a  lad  of  four- 
teen or  fifteen — a  fine  specunen  of  boyish 
beauty,  intelligent  and  no  doubt  agi-eeable, 
or  he  woidd  not  have  been  favored  with  so 


much  of  our  heroine's  society,  to  the  envy 
of  more  than  half  the  regiment,  myself  in- 
cluded. 

Hany  Robeson  was  the  name  of  this  for- 
tunate youth,  and  as  he  wfts  accounted  the 
best  drummer  in  the  drum-corps,  and  as  val- 
iant a  lad  as  ever  broke  away  from  a  moth- 
er's apron  strings,  he  was  a  universal  favor- 
ite, both  of  officers  and  men,  and  his  popu- 
larity gained  him  many  brief  foi'lougus,  and 
other  pri\dleges  which,  as  far  as  possible, 
were  divided  with  his  female  friend,  and 
mentor,  the  sunbeam  of  our  camp. 

My  thoughts  have  been  so  absorbed  in 
Virginia  while  penning  this  introductory 
chapter,  that  I  have  forgotten  to  inform  the 
reader  anything  concerning  myself,  except 
my  position  as  commander  of  the  color  com- 
pany of  the  — th  Illinois  Regiment. 

My  name  is  Julian  Manly.  I  was  born 
in  the  city  of  New- York,  in  the  year  1842, 
and  of  course  have  attained  the  age  of 
twenty-six. 

In  consequence  of  the  financial  embar- 
rassments throughout  the  country,  culmina- 
ting just  previous  to  my  bu-th,  my  father 
was  reduced  from  affluence  to  comparative 
poverty,  and  after  striving  diligently  for  the 
succeeding  five  years  to  recover  a  decent 
competency  from  the  wreck  of  his  fortune, 
he  gave  up  despairingly,  and  removed  to 
Gralena,  Illinois,  whore,  after  residing  there 
about  thfee  years,  my  mother  died  in  giving 
birth  to  a  child. 

I  was  then  about  seven  yeare  old,  but  old 
enough  to  feel  keenly  the  blow  caused  by 
bemg  bereft  of  one  of  the  most  indulgent  of 
mothers. 

The  affliction  which  thus  visited  us  was 
too  much  for  my  father,  and  after  lingering 
for  many  months  in  a  state  well-nigh  border- 
ing upon  insanity,  he  died,  and  Avas  bruded 
beside  my  mother. 

Fortunately  for  us,  helpless  orphans,  we 
were  befriended  by  two  families  with  whom 
both  my  father  and  mother  had  enjoyed  a 


5 


VmOINIA   GRAHA5I  ;    OR,    THE 


long  acquaintance,  even  before  his  removal 
to  the  great  West. 

I  was  cared  for  by  one  of  these  families, 
sent  to  school,  received  an  ordinary  educa- 
tion, and  at  the  'age  of  sixteen  was  placed 
in  the  counting  house  of  a  lead  mining  com- 
pany, where  I  was  kindly  treated,  well  ap- 
preciated, and  remained  until  I  had  attained 
my  majority. 

The  family  wliich  adopted  ray  almost  in- 
fant sister  had  removed  from  Galena  within 
a  year  after  my  father's  death,  and  as  I  af- 
terwards learned,  settled  on  the  banks  of 
the  Ohio,  near  its  confluence  with  the  Missis- 
sippi. I  had  his  name — Augustus  War- 
land';  and  as  my  little  sister  had  been  clu'is- 
tened  Isabel — my  mother's  name — I  sup- 
posed she  would  be  called  by  those  who 
adopted  her — Isabel  Manly  Warland. 

After  writing  two  or  three  letters  to  Mr. 
Warland,  about  the  time  I  had  attained  my 
majority,  and  receiving  not  a  syllable  in  re- 
turn, I  resolved,  before  embarking  in  busi- 
ness, to  go  down  to  Cairo,  and  there,  if  pos- 
sible, learn  the  whereabouts  of  my  sister's 
benefactor,  and  hence,  the  darting  object 
nearest  my  heart. 

I  embarked  at  Galena  on  a  small  steamer, 
and,  after  descending  the  Fevre  River  to  its 
junction  with  the  Mississippi,  I  transferred 
myself  and  luggage  to  one  of  the  huge 
floating  palaces  that  ply  exclusively  upon 
the  great  Father  of  ATaters,  and  after  forty- 
eight  hours  steaming  was  landed  at  Cairo. 

I  could  not  have  arrived  there  at  a  much 
less  inopportune  time,  for  this  embryo  city 
was  just  then  recovering  from  the  effects  of 
a  severe  inundation,  which  had  driven  the 
larger  and  better  portion  of  the  population 
into  the  interior,  or  hundreds  of  miles  away. 

However,  I  had  journeyed  nearly  seven 
hundred  miles  for  a  pui-pose,  and  that  pur- 
pose was  not  to  be  abandoned  until  I  had 
exhausted  all  reasonable  efforts. 

No  sooner  liad  I  landed,  or  rather  disem- 
barked from  the  steamer  to  a  small  row-boat, 
which  conveyed  myself  and  eifeets  directly 


to  the  door  of  a  hotel,  than  I  sat  about  my 
enquiries. 

The  landlord,  who  had  lived  in  Cairo  but 
one  season,  and  who  swore  most  heartily 
that  he  would  not  tarry  there  another  for  a 
warranty  deed  of  the  wliole  city,  never  heard 
of  any  such  personage  as  Augustus  War- 
land,  and  didn't  believe  there  was  any  one 
of  that  name  in  the  place  ;  and  if  there  had 
been  one  there  six  months  ago,  it  was  not  at 
all  likely,  if  he  possessed  a  decent  modicum 
of  common  sense,  that  he  was  there  up  to 
that  time  ;  for,  as  he  remarked,  most  sol- 
emnly and  not  jokingly,  tliat  the  population 
of  Cairo,  or  at  least  eleven-twelfths  of  it, 
was  ?i  floating  one,  and  would  continue  to 
be  until  the  projected  levee  wa.s  completed. 

I  looked  in  vain  for  the  name  in  the  little 
printed  dii'ectory  of  the  place,  and  by  the 
special  favor  of  the  landlord,  I  spent  a  half 
day  in  examining  the  registers  of  his  hotel 
from  the  day  of  its  opening,  embracing  a 
period  of  twelve  years,  with  the  faint  hope 
that  within  this  period,  at  some  date,  Mr. 
Warland  might  liave  been  a  guest  of  the 
Steamboat  Hotel. 

The  only  discovery  I  made  in  this  labori- 
ous search  was,  that  no  less  than  .seventeen 
landlords  had  endeavored  to  "  keep  a  hotel  " 
beneath  the  roof  which  claimed  me  as  a 
guest. 

Some  of  these  men  had  made  the  effort 
for  three  months  only,  others  for  sis  months ; 
two  or  three  had  remained  its  proprietor  for 
a  twelvemonth,  and  one  man  had  absolutely 
presided  over  the  estabhshment  for  two  long 
years. 

If  those  autograph  volumes  did  not  indi- 
cate the  floating  chai'acter  of  the  inhabitants 
of  Cau'o,  I  know  not  where  to  look  for  a 
more  palpable  indicator. 

Exliausting  the  records  of  the  hotel,  I 
sailed  oyer  to  the  post-oiSce,  but  the  post- 
master was  a  new  comer,  and  never  heard 
of  the  name  I  mentioned  ;  was  sure  that  no 
letter  with  that  address  had  come  through 
his  hands ;  and,  moreover,  he  didn't  care 


SPY    OF   THE   GRAND   ARMY. 


9 


whether  another  mail  should  ever  come  into 
the  city,  for  he  had  prepared  his  letter  of 
resignation,  and  was  going  to  vamose  as 
soon  as  he  could  pack  up  his  effects,  and  the 
dry  land  again  appeared  in  the  streets. 

I  made  inquiries  for  the  oldest  merchants 
or  professional  men  of  Cairo,  but  I  learned 
that  a  residence  of  one  season  was  the  rule, 
and  a  residence  there  for  one  or  two  years 
was  the  exception.  Indeed,  I  discovered, 
as  I  beheve,  the  oldest  inhabitant  after  two 
days'  inquiry  and  search.  He  had  abso- 
lutely Uved  and  practised  law  in  Caii-o  for 
nearly  three  years.  When  he  was  at  length 
discovered,  and  we  met  face  to  face,  judge 
of  my  surprise  when  I  found  the  oldest  in- 
habitant— ^the  patriarch  of  the  town — to  be 
a  gentleman  of  about  twenty-seven  years  of 
age.  But  he  knew  as  little  of  the  man  I 
was  seeking,  as  he  knew  of  his  predecessors 
at  the  bar  of  Alexander  County,  ten  years 
prior  to  his  admission  to  that  hall  of  justice. 

After  tarrying  a  week  in  the  inundated 
city — a  period  much  longer  than  the  reader 
will  appreciate — without  gaining  even  a  clue 
to  the  whereabouts  of  Mr.  Warland  or  his 
family,  I  repau-ed  to  an  obscure  village  a 
few  miles  distant,  where  I  continued  my  in- 
quiries. I  was  about  making  up  my  mind 
that  my  errand  must  prove  a  fruitless  one, 
when  I  accidentally  fell  in  company  with  an 
old  Dutchman,  who  seemed  almost  the  per- 
sonification of  Inning's  Kip  Van  Winkle, 
on  his  return  to  Kaatskill  from  the  moun- 
tain where  he  had  slumbered  for  twenty 
lr\ng  years. 

"Yaw — yaw — I  know'd  dat  Mynheer 
Varland,"  said  the  venerable  Teuton.  "  He 
Kved  in  tish  village  petter  ash  dwo,  dree 
year ;  den  he  goesh  avay,  aa  never  comesh 
pack  no  more." 

"Did  you  know  him  intimately?"  I  in- 
quired. 

"  Yaw,  as  veil  as  I  knowed  any  oder 
mans.  He  pought  von  leetel  bony  ob  me 
vonce,  and  zwei  huntret  tollars  he  gif  me 
vor  dat  bony ;  but  ter  bony  vas  von  bretty 


animal,  ah,  almost  ash  bretty  as  de  juno^rau 
— dat  ish  ter  laty — vat  I  have  seen  ride  him 
so  many  dimes." 

"  How  old  was  the  young  lady?" 

"  Pout  as  old  ash  ter  bony,  and  dat  bony 
mnst  have  been  nine  or  den  year." 

"  What  was  her  name  ?  " 

"  Veil,  I  dinks  dey  called  her — ^let  me 
dink — vat  ish  dat  in  ter  pelfry  ob  ter  breach 
haus  !  Der  tuyvel !  can't  I  dink  !  Yaw,, 
yaw— Pell !— dey  eaUed  her  PeU." 

My  heart  almost  leaped  to  my  mouth  at 
the  mention  of  the  name  of  Bell,  although 
the  Dutchman  pronounced  it  PeU,  and  it 
was  many  moments  before  I  dared  to  contin-- 
ue  my  inquiries,  for  I  saw  by  the  expression 
of  the  Teuton's  countenance  that  some  mis- 
fortune had  befallen  the  family  of  which  we 
were  speaking.  At  length  I  resumed  my 
interrogatories  : 

"  Tell  me  and  tell  me  truly — ^is  Mr.  War- 
land  hving?" 

"  Vel,  I  dinks  he  is,  but  I  don't  know." 

' '  Do  you  know  whether  any  of  his  fam- 
ily died  during  their  residence  here  or 
since?  " 

"Vel,  I  knows  noding — only  I  knows 
dat  Mynheer  Varland  lost  much  proberty, 
and  vent  avay  down  de  riber  mitout  stop- 
ping to  pid  his  neighpors  goot-pye.  Dat's 
vot  I  knows — and  dat  ish  all  I  knows,  ash 
true  ash  dere  ish  a  Gott  in  Himmel !  " 

To  pursue  my  enquiries  in  that  direction 
any  farther  I  perceived  would  be  fruitless, 
and,  perchance  might  give  offence  to  the 
simple-hearted  old  man  ;  so  I  bade  him  and 
the  submerged  city  a  final  adieu,  and  after 
the  lapse  of  three  days  was  again  in  Galena, 
striving  to  forget  my  disappointments,  and 
considering,  with  the  aid  and  advice  of  my 
confidential  friends,  the  kind  of  business  I 
should  embark  in  that  would  ensure  the 
shoi-test,  the  safest,  and  the  most  honest 
road  that  leads  on  to  fortune. 

I  was  not  long  in  deciding.  Lead,  that 
dull,  heavy  metal,  I  must  transmute  into 
gold,  and  with  gold  to  find  happiness.     I 


10 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


chose,  as  did  the  sagacious  Bassanio,  and  in 
less  than  two  years  I  was  part  proprietor  of 
a  mine,  whicli  proved  a  mine  of  wealth  to 
me.  The  product  of  our  mine  was  in  great 
demand,  and  when  the  rebellion  commenced 
Uncle  Sara  was  our  best  customer.  I  had 
amassed  tlie  sum  of  two  laundred  thousand 
dollars  before  I  was  twenty-five. 

As  I  had  done  no  real  service  to  my 
country,  save  by  making  a  few  donations  to 
our  earliest  volunteers,  I  resolved  to  make 
amends  by  giving  my  life,  if  needed,  to  the 
gi-eat  cause  of  restoring  the  Union.  After 
having  put  my  affairs  hi  good  order,  and 
employed  a  proper  person  to  take  chai-ge  of 
such  business  of  mine  as  requu-ed  attention, 
I  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  — th  Ulbaois 
Volunteers. 

It  is  generally  believed  that  my  merits  as 
a  military  man  gained  me  my  position  as 
captain.  It  is  certain  that  it  was  never 
sought  by  me,  and  I  would  willingly  have 
resigned  it  to  any  subordinate  who  could 
have  performed  the  duties  better  or  as  well 
as  myself. 

Before  the  regiment  marched  I  married 
Genevieve  Langdon,  a  poor  orphan  girl,  but 
highly  intelligent  and  well  educated.  Her 
father  had  died  but  three  months  previously. 
He  was,  when  in  his  prime,  a  lawyer  of 
considerable  note,  and  had  a  large  practice ; 
but  he  was  said  to  be  strictly  honest  in  his 
dealings  with  his  fellow-men,  hence  his  pov- 
erty. But  he  has  left  three  sous  and  two 
daughters,  and  if  sterhng  merit  is  valuable 
he  has  left  in  them  a  more  valuable  legacy 
to*  then'  contemporaries  on  the  stage  of  life, 
than  if  he  had  died  a  milUonaire.  ■  IMy  wife 
is  one  of  them ;  and  though  I  parted  with 
her  on  the  tenth  day  after  the  nuptial  cere- 
mony was  perfoiiued,  think  not,  reader,  I 
appreciate  her  any  the  less.  She  is  the 
bright  jewel  of  my  soul,  notwithstanding  the 
extraordinary  interest  I  feel  in  La  Vivan- 
diere. 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    BATTLE    OF  PITTSBURG    LANDING  ! THE 

DRUMMKR     EOVS A     KEMARK^VBLE     INCI- 
DENT  SUILOU  ! 

I  have  stated  that  I  was  at  the  battle  of 
Pittsburg  Landing — the  first  great  conflict 
of  aiTns  in  which  I  was  a  humble  participant. 

Our  regiment  in  an  early  part  of  the  day 
had  acted  as  skirmisliers,  Ijut  in  tlie  after- 
no(p  the  division  to  which  we  were  attached 
was  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle,  and  under 
our  ever-victorious  general  we  were  led  into 
the  very  tliickest  of  the  conflict. 

Thi-iee  we  assaulted  a  much  superior  force 
to  our  own,  and  were  repulsed  with  consid- 
erable slaughter.  The  fortunes  of  the  day 
seemed  to  be  against  the  Federal  legions ; 
but  there  were  heroes  on  that  sanguinary 
field,  and  our  brave  leaders  resolved  upon 
another  onslaught  with  -the  almost  forlorn 
hope  of  retrieving  the  losses  we  had  made. 

Steadily,  in  the  face  of  a  line  of  batteries 
belching  forth  a  storm  of  grape  and  canister, 
we  marched ;  and  then  came  tlie  order  along 
the  lines  to  "  charge  bayonets  !  " 

With  huzzas  and  yells  that  were  heard 
above  the  roar  of  cannon,  we  charged  upon 
the  enemy's  batteries,  carried  them  at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet,  and  drove  the  artil- 
lerists and  infantry  that  supported  them  from 
the  position  which  they  had  so  long  and  so 
obstinately  mamtaincd. 

Tliis  portion  of  the  rebel  forces  were  com- 
pelled to  fall  back  towards  the  river,  where 
they  encountered  such  a  terrific  fire  from 
the  gunboats  that  they  broke  and  nished 
from  the  field  in  great  disorder. 

Our  regiment  encamped  in  a  grove  which 
skirted  the  field  of  our  bloody  operations. 
The  calling  of  the  roll  by  companies  at  tlie      , 
close  of  that  day  was  indeed  a  heart-rending     -' 
duty,  especially  in  the  company  to  which  I 
was  attached. 

We  went  into  battle  eighty-four  strong, 
and  but  fifty-two  answered  to  their  names. 

]My  captain  was  killed  outright,  the  first 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


11 


lieutenant  had  lost  Ms  arm,  and  oiir  brave 
second  lieutenant  came  near  sharing  the  fate 
of  the  former ;  but  I  believe  his  life  was 
saved  by  my  bayonet,  which  I  thrust  through 
the  heart  of  a  rebel  officer  as  his  sabre  was 
about  to  fall  upon  his  head. 

Of  com-se  those  sad  casualties  made  an 
early  promotion  from  our  ranks.  The  sec- 
ond Ueutenant  became  our  commander — our 
orderly  sergeant  was  made  first  lieutenant, 
and  I  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  second 
lieutenant. 

Two  drimimer  boys  had  been  assigned  to 
our  company  on  the  morning  of  the  battle. 
They  were  neither  of  them  present  at  roll- 
call,  but  in  less  than  half  an  hour  afterwards 
the  elder  of  the  two  appeared  with  the 
younger  astride  his  back.  The  latter  had 
been  wounded  in  the  foot,  and  a  cannon  ball 
had  passed  thi'ough  both  heads  of  his  drum, 
a  matter  which  seemed  to  give  him  greater 
pain  than  his  wound,  which,  though  not  at 
all  serious,  somewhat  impaired  his  powers  of 
locomotion.  I  observed  tears  chasing  each 
other  down  the  cheeks  of  the  eldest  boy  as 
he  bore  his  younger  companion  past  my  tent. 

''Is"  your  comrade's  wound  serious?"  I 
asked. 

The  youth  halted,  and  gazing  upon  me 
for  a  few  moments  from  the  depths  of  his 
large  blue  eyes,  now  bedewed  with  gUsten- 
ing  drops,  rephed :  "  I  fear  that  it  is,  for 
he  cannot  walk." 

*'  Bear  him  into  my  tent,"  said  I.  "  The 
hospital  is  fall.  I  wiU  ask  the  surgeon  to 
come  here  as  soon  as  he  possibly  can.  You 
look  as  though  ready  to  sink  to  the  earth." 

''  I  am  traly  much  fatigaied,  for  I  have 
borne  Harry  nearly  half  a  mile,  and  I  am 
sm-e  he's  quite  as  heavy  as  I  am." 

"  Come  in — come  in,"  I  said.  "  We 
can't  stand  upon  official  dignity  on  a  day 
like  this." 

"Thanks — a  thousand  thanks,  lieuten- 
ant," replied  the  youth  in  a  soft,  feminine 
voice,  at  the  same  tune  a  deep  drawn  sigh 
escaped  him. 


He  entered  my  new  quarters,  and  with 
my  assistance  we  laid  the  wounded  boy  care- 
fully down  upon  the  green  turf.  I  despatched 
a  messenger  to  the  surgeon  of  our  regiment, 
requesting  his  attendance  at  my  tent  the 
moment  he  was  disengaged. 

"  I  think  Harry's  wound  is  not  a  very 
severe  one,"  said  the  oldest,  "perhaps  I 
might  dress  it." 

"  Oh,  little  can  you  know  of  wounds. 
We  had  best  wait  a  few  minutes  for  the 
surgeon,"  was  my  reply. 

We  did  wait,  not  only  a  few  but  a  good 
many  minutes ;  and  when  nearly  an  hour 
had  elapsed,.!  was  determined  to  endeavor 
to  do  something  for  poor  little  Harry,  for  I 
saw  that  delay  made  liim  extremely  nervous. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  will  help  you,"  said  his  com- 
panion, as  I  sugge^ed  my  lack  of  skill  in 
surgery. 

His  foot  had  considerably  swollen,  which 
made  it  necessary  for  me  to  cut  not  only  his 
boot,  but  his  stocking  from  his  foot.  While 
I  was  doing  this  his  companion  had  made 
quite  a  respectable  bandage  by  sewing  the 
parts  of  a  handkerchief  together  which  he 
had  first  torn  into  strips. 

The  stocking  was  finally  removed,  and  as 
the  last  piece  was  taken  ^iF,  the  wound, 
which  the  stocking  had  stanched,  re-opened, 
and  a  copious  flow  of  blood  came  therefrom. 

"  Quick !  "  said  I  to  my  young  assistant, 
"  let  me  hart^e  the  bandage." 

He  stepped  forward — ^his  eye  fell  upon 
the  bleeding  wound — he  dropped  the  band- 
age, and  staggering  l)ack  fell  fainting  to  the 
earth.  I  could  render  him  no  assistance  at 
that  moment,  for  to  leave  little  Harry  bleed- 
ing for  many  minutes  would  have  endan- 
gered his  life.  So  I  proceeded  to  place, 
first,  some  hnt  on  the  wound,  and  then  was 
proceeding  to  bandage  it,  when  fortunately 
the  sm-geon  came  in,  and  I  placed  my  little 
patient  in  his  charge,  and  proceeded  to  look 
after  his  tfnder-hearted  companion.  As  I 
feared,  he  was  perfectly  unconscious,  and  I 


12 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,  THE 


began  to  apply  restoratives,  but  not  with 
their  usual  effect. 

"  What  shall  I  do,  doctor?  Water,  whis- 
key, or  brandy  does  not  seem  to  revive 
him." 

He  looked  away  from  his  work  for  a  mo- 
ment and  gazed  upon  my  patient. 

"  No  wonder  he  does'nt  revive.  Un- 
button that  tight  jacket — remove  his  belt — 
let  him  have  a  chance  to  breathe "?  "  was  the 
sui-geon's  quick  reply. 

I  unclasped  the  belt,  unbuttoned  his  coat, 
removed  a  stiff  leathern  stock  from  his  neck, 
and  then  proceeded  to  loosen  a  tight  vest. 
Before  I  had  finished  this  last  operation,  my 
patient  began  to  breathe  heavily,  and  made 
an  effort  at  utterance.  At  that  moment  I 
leaped  to  my  feet  and  uttered  an  exclama- 
tion of  surprise.  Befoie  my  eyes  had  pro- 
faned, my  hand  had  assured  me  uninten- 
tionally that  my  patient  was  a  woman  ! — a 
fairer  and  more  symmetrical  neck  and  bosom 
never  delighted  the  eyes  of  a  sculptor. 

"Doctor,  what's  to  be  done?"  I  ejacu- 
lated in  amazed  tones. 

"  Done?  Why,  bring  her  too,  of  course. 
You  act  as  if  you  had  never  seen  a  famting 
woman,"  he  replied. 

"  I  certainly  never  before  saw  one  under 
such  circumstances." 

"  Ah,  lieutenant,  if  you  had  been  bred  to 
my  profession — a  mender  instead  of  hacker 
of  limbs — you  would  not  express  such  won- 
drous sui-prise  in  finding  a  woman  where 
you  expected  to  find  a  man.  There,  that 
job  is  done  and  well  done,"  the  doctor  con- 
tinued, now  addressing  his  young  patient; 
"  if  you  will  be  quiet  a  few  days,  my  lad, 
I'U  promise  to  set  you  right  on  your  pegs 
again.  Now,  Ueutenant,  (turning  to  me) 
we'll  resuscitate  this  young  damsel,  who 
would  be  a  soldier,  in  a  few  minutes.  Ah ! 
she  is  well  nigh  recovered  abeady,"  he  said, 
as  he  felt  her  pulse  and  gazed  into  her  beau- 
tiful face.  "  I  think  with  kind  nursing 
from  you,  lieutenant,  she  will  get  along  very 
well.     I've  had  one  similar  case  since  the 


l)attle,   and   may  find   another  before   my 
night's  work  is  accomplished." 

"What?"  said  I,  whispering,  "  you  do 
not  me£m  to  say  there  has  been  another  dis- 
covery similar  to  this  ?  " 

"Precisely,  sir;  in  the  — th  Michigan 
cavalry,  too.  Oh  !  it's  no  rare  thing  in  this 
war.  ^Vhy,  I'd  wager  my  lancet-case  against 
a  jack-knife  that  there  are  a  half  score,  aye, 
a  score,  of  disguised  women  in  Gen.  Grant's 
command ;  and  five  out  of  six  of  these  en- 
listed solely  for  the  purpose  of  being  near 
their  husbands  or  lovers.  Good  night,  sir  ; 
I'll  call  and  see  the  boy  in  the  morning." 

With  these  words  our  active,  hard-work- 
ing surgeon  hurried  from  the  tent,  leaving 
me  quite  in  solitude,  for  the  boy  was  snoring 
lustily  under  the  influence  of  chlorofonn, 
while  my  damsel-drunmier  had  not  yet  come 
to  a  realization  of  her  present  condition,  or 
of  the  discovery  which  had  been  made.  I 
almost  trembled  at  the  thouglit  that  she  might 
reproach  me  for  the  liberty  I  had  taken  in 
exposing  her  sex,  while  in  a  state  of  uncon- 
sciousness, and  had  I  thought  it  possible  to 
have  buttoned  her  vest  again  without  her 
being  conscious  of  it,  I  certainly  should  have 
attempted  it,  for  I  honestly  desired  that  she 
might  remain  in  bUssful  ignorance  of  my 
accidentally-discovered  knowledge. 

In  a. few  moments  she  opened  her  large, 
lustrous  eyes,  and  after  gazing  about  the 
tent  as  if  to  recall  her  senses,  she  said  : 

"Yes — ^yes — I  remember.  HowisHarr^ 
— poor  boy — I  trust  he's  better?  "  and  she 
gazed  upon  me  with  an  anxious,  inquiring 
look. 

*  "  The  lad  is  sleeping  quietly,"  I  rephed, 
and  immediately  added — ' '  The  sui-geon  has 
been  here  and  dressed  his  wound.  He  pro- 
nounces the  injury  a  trivial  one,  and  says 
he  will  be  able  to  walk  again  in  a  very  few 
days  if  he  can  lie  perfectly  quiet." 

"  Oh,  thanks  to  the  doctor,  and  to  you, 
too,"  she  added,  rising  slightly  from  her 
recumbent  position,  and  noticing,  for  the 
first  time,  the  disordered  state  of  her  dress  ; 


SPY    OF    THE-  GRAND   ARMY. 


13 


and  wWle  she  nervously  drew  together  the 
vest  to  conceal  the  charms  which  had  been 
exposed,  she  gazed  upon  me  with  a  suspi- 
cious expression  which  almost  gave  me  pain. 

"  I — I — that  is — you — not  I — I  mean  to 
say,  madame,  that  you  fainted !  "  was  my 
stammering,  blundering  speech,  which  un- 
wittingly betrayed  my  knowledge  of  her 
secret. 

"  Her  face,  which  but  a  few  moments  be- 
fore was  of  almost  alabaster  whiteness,  was 
now  of  a  crimson  hue.  She  collected  her 
scattered  senses  and  burst  into  a  flood  of 
tears.  I  endeavored  to  console  her,  but  I 
was  too  much  agitated  myself  to  afford  her 
relief, 

"  Oh,  sir  ! "  she  at  length  said,  sobbingly ; 
*'  pity  me  and  do  not  betray  my  secret !  I 
am  but  a  poor  helpless  gu'l — an  orphan — 
and — but  no  matter — I  cannot  impart  to  a 
stranger  my  hapless  story." 

•'  I  have  not  sought  to  know  your  secret ; 
and  beheve  me,  before  you  had  swooned  in 
a  state  of  unconsciousness  I  had  no  thought 
of  your  being  other  than  one  of  my  own 
sex.  In  endeavoring  to  restore  you  the  real 
fact  forced  itself  to  my  knowledge.  Pardon 
me — I  could  not  avoid — " 

"  Oh,  sir,  pardon  me  for  having  given 
you  so  much  trouble,"  she  said,  interrupting 
my  speech.  "I  can  repay  you  only  with 
gratitude ;  but  let  me  beseech  you  not  to 
betray  my  sex  !  " 

"You  may  rely  upon  me,  be  assured. 
Yet,  if  you  will  permit  me  to  offer  a  word 
of  advice,  you  will  not  object  to  my  revealing 
this  discovery  to  the  commanding  general, 
that  I  may  obtain  your  discharge ;  and  it 
shall  then  be  my  duty  to  restore  you  to  your 
friends,  wherever  they  may  reside." 

"You  are  very  kind,  sir;  but  it  is  my 
earnest  desire  to  remain  with  the  regiment. 
I  cannot  leave  poor  Harry  Robeson.  He  is 
the  best  friend  I  have  in  the  world.  I  can- 
not, sir,  leave  him." 

"  Perhaps,  as  he  is  wounded,  I  may  also 
obtain  his  discharge,"  I  suggested. 


"It  must  not  be,"  she  replied,  with  an 
anxious,  nervous  look.  "  That  he  may  re- 
main with  the  regiment  will  be  our  earnest 
prayer." 

There  was  something  in  her  manner,  and 
in  the  expression  of  her  beautiful  counte- 
nance, which  convinced  me  that  all  my  per- 
suasiveness could  not  change  her  determina- 
tion. Yet  I  ventured  to  describe  the  hard- 
ships she  would  be  compelled  to  undergo ; 
the  dangers  of  the  field,  the  march,  and  the 
bivouac ;  the  almost  certainty  that,  sooner 
or  later,  her  sex  must  be  discovered ;  and 
finally,  and  above  all,  the  rude  life  she  would 
have  to  lead  among  soldiers  who  were  not 
fitted  for  the  companionship  of  one  so  gentle, 
so  fair,  so  intellig-ent  and  refined  as  she  ap- 
peared to  be. 

"  I  know  all — I  have  counted  the  cost- 
but  my  motives  outweigh  all,"  was  her  only 
reply  to  my  strong  suggestions. 

"  If  it  be  your  only  desire  to  remain  with 
the  regiment,  why  not  doff  those  unbecoming 
habiliments  and  don  those  of  a  fashion  that 
will  become  a  woman?"  said  I,  sugges- 
tively, as  an  idea  struck  me  which  I  thought 
she  might  possibly  consider  with  some  favor. 

"Because  there  would  be  no  servioe 
which  could  be  assigned  to  a  young,  inexpe- 
rienced girl  like  me.  In  an  army  women 
are  wanted  only  for  hospital  nurses,  for 
washing  officers'  clothing,  or  for  other  labo- 
rious duties,  which  I  should  not  be  compe- 
tent to  perform. 

"  You  are  quite  right.  It  is  a  pity  that 
our  regiments,  like  those  of  France,  are  not 
accustomed  to  have  Vivandieres.  Such  a 
position  you  may  well  be  adapted  for." 

"Ah,  yes!  Indeed,  I  should  like  that 
position  beyond  all  places  else  ;  but  it  is  not 
to  be  for  a  moment  presumed  that  such  a 
character  would  be  allowed  in  any  regiment 
of  this  army." 

"  I  am  not  quite  so  certain  of  that.  Our 
general  is  an  approachable  man,  kind  and 
noble-hearted ;  and  will  oftentimes  stretch  a 
point  beyond    the  prescribed  regulations. 


14 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


when,  by  so  doing,  and  without  detriment  to 
the  service,  he  can  bring-  happiness  out  of 
misery." 

A  ray  of  hope  and  gratitude  illumined  the 
transcendantly-beautiful  gud,  at  the  possi- 
biUty  that  arrangements  might  be  made  by 
which  she  could  remain  with  the  regiment, 
don  the  garments  of  her  sex,  and  be  useful 
to  soldiers  in  the  hours  of  their  extremest 
need. 

"  I  perceive  that  the  suggestion  pleases 
you,"  I  resumed,  "and  therefore,  on  the 
first  opportunity  the  matter  shall  be  brought 
before  our  generous-hearted  general.  Mean- 
while, accept  the  hospitalities  of  my  tent. 
To-night  I  shall  be  on  guard  duty,  and  may 
not  have  an  opportunity  to  visit  you  before 
morning." 

She  expressed  her  gratitude  in  the  strong- 
est language,  and  I  bade  her  "  good  night," 
for  I  knew  that  my  presence,  with  the  scanty 
accommodations  for  sleeping  would  much 
embarass  my  charming  incognito. 

The  following  day  the  ever-memorable 
battle  of  Shiloh  was  fought,  which  gave  me 
no  opportunity  whatever  to  visit  my  quarters 
until  late  in  the  evening. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  day  both  my  cap- 
tain and  first  lieutenant  were  killed,  and  I 
foiind  myself  in  command  of  the  company 
in  which  I  was  but  a  private  twenty-four 
hours  previous. 

A  desperate  bayonet  charge  was  made 
early  in  the  afternoon,  upon  a  strong  battery 
supported  by  infantry,  and  it  was  our  com- 
pany's good  fortune  to  be  a  little  in  advance 
of  the  line.  We  caused  the  enemy  to  re- 
treat hastily,  and  captured  a  stand  of  colors. 
In  tliis  charge  I  received  a  bullet  in  the  arm, 
but  binding  the  wound  instantly  with  my 
handkerchief,  it  gave  me  but  little  or  no  in- 
convenience. 

The  general,  with  his  stafi",  rode  up  a 
moment  aftei'wards,  halted  before  my  com- 
mand, which  I  drew  up  in  tolerable  order 
and  presented  arms.  He  saluted,  and  con- 
gratulated me  on  our  "  great  success,"  as 


he  was  pleased  to  term  it,  and  concluded  by 
saying — 

"  Young  man,  consider  yourself  promoted. 
Such  gallant  conduct  shall  never  go  unre- 
warded while  U.  S.  G.  commands." 

With  these  words  he  hastened  on  to  ani- 
mate and  urge  forward  the  less  precipitate 
portions  of  the  charging  line.  At  the  point 
of  the  bayonet  the  rebels  were  driven  far 
distant  from  the  strong  position  they  had 
occupied  during  the  morning,  and  left  us 
masters  of  the  field. 

The  onset  was  a  traly  desperate  one  ;  we 
lost  heavily,  but  it  gave  us  the  victoiy — a 
victory  that  dearly  and  forcibly  taught  our 
boasting;  foe  that  the  "mudsills"  of  the 
North  and  West  were  fully  the  er^uals  of  the 
"  chivalric  sons  of  the  South,"  iu  all  that 
pertains  to  courage,  energy  and  strategy. 

Half  famished  and  half  exhausted  with 
the  fatigues  of  the  day — for  we  had  not 
rested  or  partaken  of  food  since  the  morning 
— we  were  ordered  to  stack. ai-ms  and  bi- 
vouac on  the  field  we  had  so  gallantly  won. 
Rations  were  served  while  guard  mountino; 
was  going  on,  and  then  the  troops  found  re- 
pose and  rest  on  the  battle-ploughed  giound, 
with  no  other  covering  than  the  illuuitable 
space  above. 

But  my  duties  for  the  night  were  not 
done.  A  large  detail  was  made  to  accom- 
pany our  wounded  to  the  rear ;  and  another 
to  bury  the  heaps  of  slain. 

It  fell  to  my  lot  to  command  the  former 
for  our  reiiriment,  and  late  in  the  eveninjirwe 
reached  the  camping-ground  we  had  chosen 
on  the  previous  night. 

The  moment  that  my  last  duty  was  per- 
formed I  staggered  faintingly  and  almost 
sick  towards  my  quarters.  I  should  have 
fallen  to  the  earth  at  the  threshold  of  the 
tent,  had  not  my  fair  guest  met  me  at  the 
moment,  and  taking  a  firm  grasp  of  my  right 
arm,  sustained  me  to  a  soldier's  couch  she 
had  prepared  for  my  reception. 

She  had  anticipated  my  wants,  and  had 
prepared  for  me  an  invigorating  beverage 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


15 


wliicli  bad  an  immediate  revivifying  effect, 
and  also  some  food  that  gave  me  strength. 

"  You  are  wounded,"  said  she,  with  some 
alarm,  noticing  that  I  took  off  my  coat  with 
great  care,  and  also  the  handkerchief  which 
was  bound  round  my  left  arm. 

"  But  slightly,"  I  replied. 

"  I  will  run  for  the  surgeon." 

"First,  tell  me  how  your  little  friend 
Harry  gets  on?  " 

"  Oh,  well,"  she  replied;  "he  is  doing 
much  better  than  I  anticipated.  He  mani- 
fests no  mipatieuce  whatever,  and  obeys  the 
surgeon's  instructions  so  implicitly  that  be 
will  quite  rocov6r  in  a  few  days,"  and  she 
hastened  off  to  the  surgeon's  quarters,  whom 
she  persuaded  to  come  at  once  notwithstand- 
ing his  bands  were  full  of  patients  at  the 
time. 

The  doctor  was  an  adept  in  bis  profession. 
A  removal  of  the  bandage,  an  examination 
and  probing  of  the  perforation — the  inser- 
tion of  an  instrument  that  brought  forth  the 
leaden  sphere — the  closmg  of  the  wound 
with  a  viscous  salve — the  winding  about  of 
a  bandage,  and  the  work  was  done. 

"  Does  it  give  you  pain  ?  "  he  asked. 

"  None  that  can  deprive  me  of  a  sound 
sleep  for  this  night  at  least,"  I  replied. 

"  Keep  the  arm  in  a  sling  for  a  few  days ; 
have  the  wound  dressed  daily,  and,  take  my 
word  for  it,  it  will  not  trouble  you  long." 

After  a  minute's  conversation  with  the 
surgeon  with  reference  to  the  casualties 
of  the  day,  be  took  his  leave,  and  I  was 
again  the  only  companion  of  Virginia  Gra- 
ham, alias  Oscar  Shelby,  (the  name  I  after- 
wards learned  she  represented  on  the  muster- 
roll,)  and  the  sleeping  Harry  Robeson. 

"  I  will  go  to  the  quarters  of  the  drum- 
corps,"  said  she.  "  Harry  will  sleep,  I  thinlc, 
until  morning,  when  I  shall  beg  the  privilege 
of  coming  to  your  tent  to  see  him,  and  to 
thank  you  for  permitting  him  to  remain 
here." 

"Ah,  but  you  forget  that  I  am  captain 


now,  and  I  have  detailed  you  to  be  his 
nurse.     You  must  not  leave  him." 

I  saw  by  the  expression  of  anxiety  and 
tenderness  upon  her  countenance,  that  she 
would  infinitely  prefer  remaining  with  him, 
but  if  I  read  aright  she  felt  a  little  delicacy 
in  remaining  under  the  same  canvas  with 
me  now  that  her  sex  was  revealed.  She  was 
embarrassed,  and  she  feared  to  cause  me 
embarrassment.  To  reassui-e  her,  I  spoke 
thus  plainly : 

"Give  me  your  entire  confidence,  and 
beUeve  me  it  shall  not  be  abused.  If  you 
go  to  your  comrades,  at  least  as  rude  as 
myself,  their  very  ignorance  of  your  sex 
might  compel  your  ears  to  be  shocked  by 
ribald  jests  or  unbecoming  language  ;  and, 
although  you  may  have  kept  your  secret 
long  and  well,  yet  you  run  the  possible  risk 
of  its  being  discovered.  Here  you  shall  be 
treated  and  respected  as  if  you  were  under 
the  care  and  protectorship  of  a  brother  in- 
stead of  a  stranger.  The  blanket  shall  di- 
vide our  tent  for  the  night.  To  stretch  it 
across  will  require  your  assistance." 

With  my  sound  arm  I  unstrapped  from 
my  knapsack  a  piece  of  canvas,  which  we 
managed  with  little  trouble  to  suepend  from 
two  sides  of  the  tent,  dividing  the  space, 
leaving  a  cosy  corner  for  my  guest. 

While  this  little  domestic  arrangement  of 
my  temporary  household  was  being  made, 
she  spoke  not  a  word  ;  but  when  all  was  fin- 
ished, and  she  saw  how  admbably  it  was 
adapted  to  the  peculiar  circnmstancos,  her 
heart,  full  to  .bursting,  gave  way  to  a  flood 
of  tears. 

"Do  not  thus  afflict  yourself,"  I  said, 
with  a  tenderness  really  felt. 

"  Ah,  sir,"  she  replied  sobbingly ;  "these 
are  not  tears  of  affliction ;  they  are  tears  of 
joy — of  gratitude — gratitude  to  you,  sir." 

She  bade  me  an  affectionate  "good  night," 
and  with  a  trusting  heart  sought  that  repose 
which  she  so  much  requned  after  the  mental 
and  physical  fatigue  she  had  endui'ed. 

That  night,"  in  my  inaudible  prayer  for  my  , 


16 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


loved  one  at  home,  I  did  not  forget  the  fair 
beins:  whom  Providence  had  thrown  under 
my  care  ;  and  before  I  was  lulled  into  the 
land  of  visions,  I  made  a  resolution  that  I 
would  assume  protectorship  over  her  while 
she  remained  with  the  army — that  I  would 
act  towards  her  only  as  an  affectionate 
brother  would  act  towards  his  sister. 

I  had  a  dream — a  sweet  dream — that 
night,  I  would  here  relate  it,  did  it  not 
foreshadow,  in  many  essential  particulars, 
the  sequel  of  this  narrative.  The  effect  of 
the  vision  upon  my  mind  did  not  in  any  de- 
gree tend  towards  changing  the  course  of 
conduct  I  had  marked  out ;  for,  like  the 
Hibernian,  I  fully  believed  that  "  drames 
always  go  by  contbraries." 


CHAPTER    III. 

KAJon  jenefer's  impertinence — THE  gen- 
eral's MAGNANIMITY. 

The  quaking  of  the  earth  by  the  morn- 
ing gun  aroused  me  from  a  refreshing  slum- 
ber ;  the  I'cveille  was  beaten  within  a  dozen 
yards  from  my  quarters,  and  when  I  went 
forth  to  assume  my  duties  I  was  not  a  little 
surprised  to  find  my  charming  incognita — 
with  a  countenance  gleaming  with  youth, 
beauty  and  even  gladness — beating  the  drum 
as  energetically  as  any  boy  of  the  coi-ps. 

She  gave  me  a  single  glance,  expressive 
of  a  grateful  heai-t,  and  then  resumed  her 
miUtary  bearing.  It  was  strange  to  me,  as 
I  now  looked  upon  her,  that  I  did  not  be- 
fore penetrate  the  simple  disguise  which 
made  her  appear  to  the  casual  observer  as 
of  another  sex ;  and  I  also  wondered  that 
her  young  companions  of  the  drum  could 
be  so  bhnd  as  to  suppose  that  that  easy, 
graceful  fonn,  those  angelic  features,  those 
small  hands  with  the  taper  fingers,  those 
feet  and  ancles,  so  symmetrically  fashioned, 
belonged  to  one  of  their  own  sex.  I  was 
sure  such  a  secret  could  not  long  be  kept, 


and  for  her  sake  I  was  more  firmly  deter- 
piined  that  she  shoukl  appear  in  propria 
personce  as  soon  as  the  first  preliminary  in 
my  plan  could  be  gained. 

It  was  no  part  of  my  prpgi-amme  that  she 
should  again  appear  with  the  drum-corps ; 
but  I  had  forgotten  that  I  had  taken  no 
steps  to  relieve  her  from  her  position ;  and, 
like  a  true  soldier,  she  appeared  at  reveille 
to  perform  her  duty. 

The  moment  parade  was  dismissed  I  beck- 
oned her  towards  me,  and  we  entered  our 
quarters  together;  but  at  tlie  threshold  I 
was  startled,  and  an  icy  coldness  crept 
through  my  veins,  as  the  dark,  basiUsk  eyes 
of  the  major  of  our  regiment  met  mine,  with 
an  expression  which  seemed  to  say  : — I  have 
discovered  your  secret.  Captain  Manly — 
enjoy  it 'while  you  can — there  '11  be  a  bril- 
liant denouement  soon. 

He  was  standing  within  twelve  ffeet  of  me, 
and  I  was  satisfied  that  he  had  gazed  upon 
my  incognita  with  libdinous  eyes — an  offence 
for  which  I  folt  that  he  deserved  to  have  a 
bullet  sent  to  his  heart. 

Jefferson  Jenefer  began  his  military  ca- 
reer as  major  and  was  a  major  still,  and 
there  was  little  hope  of  his  promotion,  for 
he  had  been  "jumped  "  twice. 

He  had  served  in  every  battle  in  which 
the  regiment  had  been  engaged,  but  his 
conduct  had  been  such  as  not  to  have  inspu"- 
ed  the  confidence  of  his  superiors,  nor  had  it 
been  such  as  to  warrant  an  enquiry  therein. 

He  was  one  of  those  negative  characters 
who  never  hold  opinions  of  their  own,  and 
who  are  ever  sufficiently  careful  of  their 
actions  as  not  to  merit  absolute  denuncia- 
tion. He  never  refused  to  obey  an  order, 
but  if  there  was  danger  in  its  execution,  he 
was  sure  to  see  that  it  was  performed  by  his 
subordinates. 

In  battle,  when  dangers  did  not  shower  all 
about  him,  he  played  a  most  gallant  part ; 
but  when  it  came  to  the  "  tug  of  war,"  our 
major  was  sure  to  be  in  the  rear  with  a  terri- 
ble attack  of  the  colic  or  rheumatism. 


i 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND   ARMY. 


17 


On  one  occasion  a  chance  ball  had  grazed 
the  pommel  of  his  saddle  ;  —  a  sharp  cut 
across  the  left  wi'istband  of  his  coat,  he  attest- 
ed, was  made  by  the  same  bullet.  Nobody 
disputed  liim,  but  he  was  not  believed. 

Yet  he  was  a  mau  of  good  addi-ess,  of  pre- 
possessing appeai-ance,  and  evidently  born 
and  bred  to  be  a  gentleman ;  but  he  had 
mistaken  his  vocation  when  his  doubtful  pat- 
riotism led  him  to  join  the  army;  and  the 
governor  who  signed  his  commission  must 
either  have  done  it  from  sheer  favoritism,  or 
he  was  most  egi-egiously  imposed  upon  by 
Jenefer's  friends,  or  by  Jenefer  himself. 

He  had  studied  law  at  the  university  and 
?vas  admitted  to  practice  in  the  coui-ts  of  Illi- 
nois, but  he  never  practised  at  any  bar  where 
whiskey  was  not  dispensed,  and  knew  no  law 
except  the  law  of  games  laid  down  by  Judge 
Hoyle. 

In  brief,  he  was  a  notorious  gamester — 
an  artful  roue  —  an  accomplished  villain; 
though  he  possessed  not  sufficient  courage 
to  play  the  assassin,  the  bui-glar  or  the  pick- 
pocket. 

Such  was  the  man — although  I  then  was 
not  fully  aware  of  the  dark  traits  of  his  chai- 
acter — who  had,  as  I  felt  sure,  penetrated 
the  veil  of  a  mystery  which  other  shrewd  ob- 
servers had  failed  to  do.  From  that  moment 
he  was  my  most  hated  enemy,  and  I  sudden- 
ly conceived  the  notion  that  through  his  di- 
abolical acts  I  should  be  forced  to  endui-e 
much  trouble. 

That  glance — that  smgle,  meanmg  glance 
—had  given  me  the  most  torturing  suspicions ; 
and  for  several  minutes  a  crowd  of  imagmary 
evils  so  pressed  upon  me  that  any  but  a  com- 
placent expression  must  have  Imgered  upon 
my  features,  and  it  was  noticed  by  my  com- 
panion, for  she  said  to  me  the  moment  we 
were  within  the  tent : 

"  You  look  not  well.  Captain  Manly." 
I  shook  off  my  anxious  forebodings,  and 
replied : 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  never  was  in  better  health ; 
a  refreshing  sleep  last  night  has  quite  restored 


me  ;  and  as  for  this  trifling  perforation  oS 
my  arm,  be  assured  it  shall  in  no  way  inter- 
fere with  my  duties.  I  trust  that  you  are 
equally  well,  for  you  looked  the  picture  of 
health  while  beating  the  reveille  this  morn- 
ing, a  duty  which  I  did  not  mean  that  you 
should  again  perform." 

"  But  you  are  not  angry  with  me  for  do- 
ing my  duty?" 

"Oh,  no ;  rather  am  I  angry  with  myself 
that  I  have  not  before  this  sought  to  relieve 
you.  But  how  is  Harry  this  morning  ?  "  ' 
"His  wound  heals  rapidly ;  I  dressed  it 
before  reveille,  and,  as  you  perceive,  he 
sleeps  again,"  she  answered,  as  she  raised  a 
little  curtain  which  she  had  hung  up'before 
his  couch. 

"  Sleep  is  good  for  him,"  I  remarked ;  and 
then,  after  a  silence  of  some  moments,  during 
which  the  major  was  uppermost  in  my 
thoughts,  I  asked :  "  Do  you  know  Major 
Jenefer?" 

"  Only  as  privates  know  their  officers,  " 
she  replied.  "Yet,  "  she  continued,  after 
a  moment's  hesitation,  "he  spoke  to  me  for 
the  first  tune  this  morning,  and  very  kindly, 
too,  for  he  enquired  after  the  health  of  Har- 
ry." 

"  Have  you  no  suspicion  that  he  has  dis- 
covered your  secret?  "  I  asked. 

That  complacent  expression  suddenly  gave 
way  to  a  doubtful,  anxious  look ;  a  slight 
tremor  was  perceptible,  agitating  her  whole 
frame ;  and  it  was  likewise  indicated  in  the 
tones  of  her  voice,  when  she  said,  after  near- 
ly a  minute's  hesitation  : 

"I  certainly  had  none — ^but  now,  I  ffeel 
that  that  man  has  indeed  discovered  that 
which  I  would  conceal  from  all  but  you  and 
little  Harry,  who  know  all." 

"  Beware  of  hun,"  I  remarked.  "  Iknow 
but  little  of  him,  but  I  feel  that  he  is  capa- 
ble of  working  much  mischief." 

"  I  shall  be  guided  in  my  conduct.  Cap- 
tain Manly,  soley  by  you,  for  in  you  I  re- 
pose all  confidence.  I  feel  that  your  friend- 
ship is  real — that  yoxir  sympathy  is  genuiac 


18 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


— that  whatever  you  do  I  shall  regard  as 
right  and  proper.  Yet,  do  not  sacrifice  a 
SHigle  principle,  a  slight  comfort,  or  bui'then 
yourself  with  anxieties  for  me ;  for,  as  much 
as  I  stand  in  need  of  a  protecting  arm,  I 
would  not  willingly  monopolize  a  thought  or 
a  moment  of  time  that  could  in  any  possible 
way  be  a  disparagement  to  your  comfort  or 
advancement." 

' '  I  think  that  you  would  not— I  feel  that 
you  would  not,"  I  replied,  with  emphasis; 
"  and,  to  be  as  frank  with  you  as  you  have 
been  with  me,  I  must  say,  with  all  sincerity, 
that  it  seems  as  if  it  were  a  selfish  principle 
that  incites  me  to  look  after  your  welfare  and 
pnymote  your  happiness.  It  is  a  feeling 
which  I  cannot  account  for,  though  I  am  cer- 
tain it  is  an  honest  one.  I  might  mistrust 
myself  were  it  not  that — as  you  have  ah*eady 
been  informed — my  heart  is  as  fervently 
bound  up  with  that  of  another  as  ever  a  lov- 
er's was  for  his  mistress ;  and  sooner  than 
violate,  in  the  slightest  degi-ee,  the  solemn 
pledge  that  I  made  to  her  at  the  altar,  I 
would  place  this  loaded  pistol  to  my  temple 
and  blow  out  my  brains." 

"  I  believe  you,"  she  said,  with  earnest- 
ness, extcndmg  her  hand,  which  I  siezed  and 
pressed  involuntarily  to  my  lips.  I  should 
have  done  the  same  thing  had  the  adored 
partner  of  my  life  been  present. 

We  now  seemed  to  understand  the  true 
relations  in  which  we  stood  towai'd  each  other ; 
but  I  confess  I  was  at  fault  in  understanding 
myself  so  far  as  relates  to  the  irresistible,  un- 
accounfcdjle  interest  I  had  conceived  in  this 
adventurous,  beautiful  bemg,  who  had  acci- 
dentally become  linked,  as  it  were,  with  my 
fate. 

At  an  hour  when  I  knew  that  the  general 
commanding  our  division  was  approachable 
by  officers  of  the  Ime,  I  wended  my  way  to- 
wards his  quarters,  and  gained  a  ready  ad- 
mittance into  his  presence.  As  I  pa.ssed  in 
Major  Jenefer  passed  out.  His  en-and,  I 
felt  impressed,  boded  no  good  to  me  or  my 
fair  friend.     His  big,  black   eyes  met  mine 


with   an  exulting  stare,  and   I  returned  it 
with  a  scowl  of  defiance. 

The  general,  fortunately,  was  alone.  I 
saluted  him  with  an  air  of  dignified  respect, 
which  he  returned,  and  then  bade  me  be 
seated  on  a  camp-stool  near  him. 

"  Capt  Manly,"  said  he,  "  you  were  the 
la-st  man  in  my  thoughts,"  and  as  if  he  di- 
vined the  purpose  of  my  visit,  ho  added — 
"  Major  Jenefer  has  been  here." 

"  Yes,  general ;  but  I  know  not  that  this 
fact  can  have  any  connection  with  my.  mis- 
sion here." 

"  Perhaps  not,  captain,  perhaps  not;  but 
to  be  frank  with  you,  I  will  toll  you  that  bis 
errand  here  has  near  relation  to  you." 
"Indeed!" 

"  He  has  informed  me  that  you  have  in 
your  quarters  a  woman  in  the  disguise  of  a 
dnimmer-boy.  If  so,  you  need  not  be  told 
that  it  is  contrary  to  the  rules  of  the  service ; 
that  it  is  a  violation  that  cannot  be  tolerated, 
and  must  compromise  the  character  and 
standing  of  every  officer  who  dares  indulge 
in  it." 

He  spoke  bluntly  and  earnestly,  and  for 
a  few  moments  quite  confused  me  ;  but  re- 
assuring myself,  and  taking  time  to  frame  a 
truthful  and  respectful  reply,  I  said  : 

"  Major  Jenefer  has,  indeed,  told  you  the 
truth ;  and  perhaps  he  deserves  commenda- 
tion for  being  so  prompt  a  tale-bearer." 

' '  Be  cautious  in  your  language  towards  a 
superior  officer,"  suggested  the  general. 

"  Pardon  me,  general ;  I  only  desired  to 
say  that  he  has  shown  more  zeal  and  alacrity 
than  myself  in  revealing  to  you  the  simple 
truth  that  a  drummer-boy,  who  was  acciden- 
tally thi'own  upon  my  protection  at  the  close 
of  our  first  day's  battle,  turns  out  to  be  a 
young,  accomplished,  and  beautiful  girl. 
The  discovery  was  made  in  the  presence  of 
the  surgeon  of  our  regiment,  who  will  attest 
to  the  circumstance.  She  had  fainted  and 
become  unconscious  while  the  doctor  was 
examining  the  wound  of  a  boy  of  not  more 
than  fourteen  years  of  age,  to  whom  she  ap- 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


19 


pears  to  be  rauch  attached.  I  undertook  the 
task  of  restoring  to  consciousness  the  person 
whom  I  supposed  to  be  a  boy,  but  in  loosen- 
ing the  wardrobe  the  interesting  fact  was 
revealed  to  me." 

' '  This  gives  a  new  phase  to  the  matter  ; 
but  the  major  intimated  that  this  disguised 
person  had  been  a  sharer  of  your  quarters 
for  some  time  ;*  and  that  you  were  on  such 
terms  as  could  not  fail  to  give  good  cause 
for  suspicion  of  improper  conduct." 

"  Then  I  charge  him  with  being  a  prying, 
meddling  busy-body — a  slanderer — a " 

"  Beware,  captain  ;  it  were  better  for  you 
to  use  these  harsh  invectives  to  the  major's 
face  than  to  me.  I  desu"e  only  to  know  the 
truth — confine  youi-self  exclusively  to  the 
matter  which  brought  you  here.  I  will  lis- 
ten patiently." 

This  reproof  served  to  appease  my  rising 
anger.  I  then  commenced  a  narration  of 
not  only  the  prominent  fiicts,  but  all  the 
minor  details,  from  the  moment  that  the  two 
drammers  became  an  object  of  interest  to 
me,  not  even  neglecting  to  rehearse,  as  near 
as  I  could  remember,  all  the  conversation 
that  passed  between  us ;  and  also  the  wishes 
she  had  expressed  after  her  secret  was  made 
known,  and  the  resolve  I  had  made  to  re- 
veal the  facts,  in  confidence,  to  my  general, 
and  intercede  for  her  in  that  which  I  had 
suggested  for  her  welfare,  with  her  full  ac- 
quiescence, while  she  remained  with  the 
regiment,  or  in  the  army." 

The  heroic  man  listened  with  evident  in- 
terest to  my  simple  story,  and  replied, — 

' '  Your  tale  is  quite  romantic,  captain  ; 
and  as  I  make  it  a  rule  of  life  never  to  act 
without  full  knowledge  of  a  subject,  I  shall 
at  this  time  neither  refuse  nor  grant  your 
request.  Without  doubting  the  truth  of 
your  story,  my  caution  impels  me  to  summon 
hither  immediately  the  .surgeon  of  your  reg- 
iment. Meanwhile  go  to  your  own  quarters 
and  send  hither  this  drummer-girl.  Let  her 
come  in  the  disguise  which  she  has  assumed. 
Furthermore,  let  me   caution  you  against 


having  any  communication,  either  personal 
or  otherwise,  with  Major  Jenefer ;  for  I  per- 
ceive that  your  temperament  is  of  that  Hot>- 
spur  nature  which  cannot  brook  an  insult." 

Thanking  him  for  giving  the  matter  as 
favorable  a  consideration  as  could  have  been 
expected,  I  saluted  him,  passed  out  of  the 
tent,  and  hastened  to  my  own  quarters,  with 
the  intention  of  sending  my  fair  one  to  the 
general  without  delay ;  but  owing  to  a  sug- 
gestion from  her — after  I  had  communicated 
the  results  of  my  visit — that  she  had  better 
wait  until  after  the  surgeon's  interview  with 
the  general ;  and  also,  -because,  in  my  ab- 
sence, she  had  prepared  a  nice  breakfast, 
that  was  then  in  waiting,  I  of  course  yielded. 

Our  breakfast  of  coffee,  eggs,  jerked 
beef  and  "  hard  tack,"  was  discussed  with 
a  relish  ;  the  more  so,  perhaps,  from  the  fact 
that  the  third  member  of  my  young  military 
family  was  enabled  to  partake  of  it  with  us. 
Yes,  little  HaiTy  was  in  the  best  of  spirits 
to  think  that  his  companion  and  himself  bad 
fallen  into  such  good  hands,  and  into  such 
comfortable  quarters. 

As  soon  as  breakfast  was  over  the  object 
of  my  solicitous  regard  re-anlmged  her  toilet 
with  a  little  more  care  than  drummer-boys 
are  wont  to  take,  and  sallied  forth  towards 
the  divisionary  head-quarters.  She  stepped 
with  quite  a  martial  air,  and  there  was  that 
in  her  whole  demeanor  which  savored  of  con- 
fidence in  herself  that  she  could  not  fail  in 
tLe  mission  she  had  undertaken ;  although, 
for  the  first  time,  she  was  going  into  the  gen- 
eral's presence ;  and  also,  in  disguise,  and 
fully  aware  that  her  long-kept  secret  had 
been  divulged  to  him. 

She  had  not  been  absent  ten  minutes  ere 
I  Ijegan  to  be  impatient  for  her  return.  To 
pass  away  the  time  I  chatted  with  Harry 
Robeson,  whom  I  found  to  be  an  agreeable 
little  fellow,  and  intelligent  beyond  his  years. 
I  ventured  two  or  three  times  to  draw  him 
into  conversation  touching  his  affectionate 
companion  ;  but  quite  in  vain — ^he  avoided 
that  topic  with  the  skill  of  a  diplomatist. 


20 


VIRGINIA  GRAHAM  ;   OR,  THE 


I  looked  at  him  many  times  with  unusual 
penetration,  lest  I  might  be  deceived  as  to 
his  sex;  but  that  was  now  impossible — I 
could  not  be  deceived  again  ;  there  was  not 
in  fact  a  feminine  quality  about  him — he 
was  boy  from  the  crown  of  his  head  to  the 
sole  of  his  foot — coarse-featured,  coarse- 
limbed,  ruddy  complexion  and  rough  voice  ; 
but  for  all  these  he  was  a  stui-dy,  fine-look- 
ing, noble  youth ;  just  such  a  specimen  of 
our  race  as  might  make,  twenty  years  hence, 
an  able  statesman,  a  general  of  an  army,  or 
the  admiral  of  a  fleet. 

Fifty  minutes  elapsed  —  it  seemed  two 
hours — when  my  fair  guest  returned.  I 
gazed  into  her  countenance  for  the  evidence 
of  complete  success  in  her  mission,  but  I 
was  puzzled — I  could  read  neither  failure 
nor  success. 

She  handed  me  two  official-looking  envel- 
opes. One  was  directed  to  me  and  sealed. 
The  other  contained  no  superscription,  and 
was  not  sealed.  I  read  the  latter  fii-st.  Its 
substance  was,  gi^nng  to  Vuginia  Graham 
permission  to  remain  in  the  army,  attached 
to  the  — th  Ptegiment  Illinois  Volunteers,  as 
Vivandiere. 

"  Why,  is  not  this  all  that  you  desired  ?  " 

"0,  yes,  but  I  almost  feared  that  there 
may  be  some  conditions  in  that  letter  to  you 
which  will  render  the  position  less  desirable. 
I  would  not  be  separated  from  Harry ;  neith- 
er would  I " 

She  hesitated. 

I  broke  the  seal  of  my  letter  and  read  its 
brief  contents.     It  was  as  follows  : 

"  To  Capt.  Manly. — To  avoid  scandal, 
the  Vivandiere,  Miss  Virginia  Graham,  must 
be  provided  with  quarters  suitable  for  one  of 
her  sex.  Otherwise  the  penuission  she  holds 
to  remain  in  the  army  must  be  revoked.  I 
would  suggest  the  propriety  of  obtaining 
some  reputable  elderly  woman  about  the 
camp,  (though  I  confess  to  my  chagiin  such 
persons  are  exceedingly  scarce.)  to  quarter 
with  her,  or,  what  would  be  better  stiU,  a 
"eontraband  woman,"  who  would  be  her 
protectress  as  well  as  servant.     I  am  sure 


your  charming  protegee  is  a  lady  of  good 
parentage  and  correct  principles,  but  there 
is  a  mystery  attached  to  her  which,  perhaps, 
better  remain  with  her,  as  she  has  sufficient 
intelhgence,  I  think,  to  guide  her  actions 
aright  If  I  was  pained  with  any  suspicions 
touching  your  own  motives,  I  am  now  most 
happy  to  say  that  I  am  cntuely  reUeved  of 
them." 

This  brief  epistle  was  in  the  general's  own 
hand-wi'iting,  and  was  marked  "  Confiden- 
tial." There  was  a  postscript  attached  which  • 
simply  read — "  The  Vivandiere  must  be  en- 
tered on  the  muster-roll.  Rank,  pay  and 
rations,  same  as  sergeant." 

Without  reading  this  note  to  her  whom 
my  commander  had  styled  ray  protegee,  I 
explained  to  her  the  conditions  wliich  it  pre- 
scribed. They  were  precisely  what  my  own 
sense  of  propriety  had  already  conceived, 
though  I  scarcely  knew  where  to  look  for  a 
suitable  person  to  be  her  companion ;  and  it 
is  due  to  her  to  state  that  she  had  likewise 
considered  the  subject,  a  fact  which  I  subse- 
quently learned  fi-om  Harry  Robeson. 

"  The  conditions  are  by  no  means  insui> 
mountable,"  said  I,  after  ray  brief  explana- 
tion ;  "  and  as  soon  as  battaUon  drill  is  over 
I  will  make  it  my  business  to  make  inqui- 
ries and  look  about  the  camp." 

"  You  are  too  kind  ;  but  that  trouble  I 
can  save  you.  There  are  several  women  in 
the  employ  of  the  sutlers,  one  of  whom  I 
have  already  in  my  mind,  and  who  can  be 
induced  for  a  consideration  to  occupy  my 
quarters  at  least  for  the  night" 

•'  Engage  her  at  any  price,  and  I  will  be 
responsible  for  the  expense." 

"You  shall  be  relieved  of  all  pecuniary 
liabihty  on  my  account,  for  I  have  plenty  of 
money,  as  you  shall  be  convinced;"  she 
rephed,  as  she  thrust  her  hand  into  a  deep 
pocket  and  produced  a  handful  of  gold. 
"  When  this  is  gone  I' have  more  in  as  good 
cmTcncy  as  Uncle  Sam  can  supply.  Oh  ! 
I  am  so  happy  that  everything  can  be  satis- 
factorily arranged." 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


21 


"  But  there  is  one  thing  you  have  not  yet 
thought  of." 

"  Wliat  can  it  be  ?  Surely  I  have  tried  to 
think  of  everything." 

"  You  must  doff"  the  uniform  of  the  driun- 
mer-boy,  and  don  that  of  a  Vivandiere." 

"  Just  as  though  a  woman  should  have 
no  thought  of  her  dress,"  she  said  laugh- 
ingly. "  Why,  it  is  contraiy  to  the  law  of 
nature,  captain.  One  of  my  sex  might  for- 
get to  eat  until  she  was  starving,  and  to 
drink  until  her  tongue  was  parched  for  lack 
of  moisture,  but  she  could  never  forget,  un- 
der any  circumstances,  her  wardrobe.  In 
my  knapsack  I  have  a  scanty  supply,  as  you 
shall  soon  be  convinced." 

She  left  me  and  retired  to  her  corner  of 
the  tent,  and  in  the  course  of  twenty  min- 
utes re-appeared,  attired  in  a  dark,  simple 
dress,  which  was  extremely  becoming.  AU 
appearance  of  boyishness  had  disappeared, 
and  she  now  stood  before  me  a  beautiful 
being,  just  in  the  bloom  of  young  woman- 
hood. 

"  But  that  dress  will  not  answer  the  pur- 
pose of  a  Vivandiere,"  I  remarked,  as  I 
gojied  upon  her  with  admiration  and  pride. 

Ah,  but  it  must  answer  until  an  appro- 
priate costume  can  be  made  for  me,  and  I 
assure  you  that  it  is  already  fashioned  in  my 
Blind ;  and  if  the  proper  materials  can  be 
furnished  from  the  sutler's  stores,  I  shall  not 
be  long  wanting  a  dress  that  shall  be  becom- 
ing to  my  new  position." 

As  she  spoke  she  placed  upon  her  head  a 
Btraw  hat,  decorated  with  ribbons  and  the 
white  wing  of  a  dove,  which  gave  an  addi- 
tional charm  to  a  face  already  radiant  with 
loveline^a. 

"I'll  he  back  soon,  captain.  Good-bye, 
Hiu-ry.  Don't  be  impatient  if  I  should  hap- 
pen to  be  absent  the  whole  of  half  an  hour," 
she  said,  as  she  walked  forth,  now  bearing 
herself  with  the  grace  of  a  sylph  rather  than 
with  that  martial  air  she  had  assumed  when 
niai'ching  towai'ds  the  general's  head  quar- 
ters an  houi-  previously. 


I  could  not  refrain  from  following  thia 
strange,  beautiful  and  fascinatmg  being  with 
my  eyes  until  she  had  disappeared  from  my 
view  by  turning  down  one  of  the  tent-bor- 
dered streets  which  ran  at  right-angles  from 
the  broad  avenue  on  which  my  tent  was 
pitched ;  but  it  gave  me  no  pleasure  to  wit- 
ness a  hundred  pairs  of  curious  eyes  also 
gazmg  upon  her,  and  probably  their  owners 
wondeiing  at  the  appearance  of  such  a  beau- 
tiful vision  within  the  lines  of  that  city  of 
canvas,  guns  and  gunpowder,  and  inhabited 
by  beings  almost  exclusively  of  the  ruder 
sex. 

I  little  cared  if  she  had  passed  in  review 
the  whole  of  our  division,  but  I  felt  cha- 
grined, mortified  and  angered,  when  I  ob- 
served Major  Jefferson  Jenefer  call  about 
him  a  group  of  officers  for  the  purpose  of 
pointing  her  out,  and  without  doubt  to  re- 
gale them  with  a  surfeit  of  foul-mouthed 
slander  at  her  expense  and  mine. 

I  stifled  my  rising  anger  with  the  thought 
that  the  poltroon  major  was  beneath  every 
gentleman's  notice,  and  that  those  who  gave 
ear  to  his  irony  or  slander  knew  him  to  be 
a  liar,  a  gamester,  a  puppy  and  poltroon. 
Yet  I  almost  prayed  for  a  sufficient  provo- 
cation to  serve  as  an  excuse  for  a  deadly  en- 
counter with  him,  being  fully  impressed  that 
I  knew  him  thoroughly — that  I  could  read 
his  profoundest  thoughts — that  his  deepest 
intents  I  could  discover. 

From  that  hour  I  resolved  never  to  go 
forth  from  my  quarters  without  being  armed, 
not  only  with  sabre  and  dagger,  but  with  a 
brace  of  revolvers.  This  resolve  was  made 
for  the  purpose  of  being  well  prepared  for 
any  emergency — especially  for  an  appeal  to 
the  code  of  honor,  an  alternative  which  I 
seriously  hoped  might  arise. 


22 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


CHAPTER    IV. 

SHARP  SHOOTING THE  PERILOUS   MISSION 

DISAPPEARANCE    OF    LA   VIVANDIERE. 

The  day  following  and  the  day  succeeding 
brouo-ht  no  great  changes  either  in  the  army 
of  the  Tennessee,  or  in  my  own  little  mili- 
tary family ;  for  during  those  days  a  violent 
storm  prevailed,  and  the  rain  fell  almost  in- 
cessantly in  ton-ents,  rendering  a  collision  of 
the  belligerent  forces  almost  impossible,  or 
skirmishing  practicable,  and  caused  the  sus- 
pension of  the  usual  camp  parades  and  drills. 
Officers  and  soldiers,  except  those  detailed 
for  guard  duty,  kept  quiet  within  their  tents. 
On  the  third  morning  the  sun  ai-ose  in 
unclouded  splendor,  and  all  was  bright  and 
cheerful  again. 

Orders  were  promulgated  to  prepare  for 
an  advance;  that  preparation  signified  the 
puttmg  of  arms  and  equipments  in  condition 
for  a  thorough  inspection ;  the  packing  of 
knapsacks ;  the  drawing  of  three  days'  ra- 
tions, and  the  careful  depositing  of  the  same 
in  haversacks. 

These  duties  occupied  all  the  morning. 
In  the  afternoon,  parade,  review  and  inspec- 
tion of  arms.  Our  hours  for  "  off  duty  " 
that  day  were  curtailed  precisely  sixty  min- 
utes, for  "  tattoo  "  and  "  taps  "  were  beaten 
an  hour  earlier  than  usual,  which  clearly  in- 
dicated that  sometime  during  the  night  we 
should  be  aroused  to  strike  our  tents  for  an 
early  march. 

The  routine  of  that  day's  duty  was  only 
broken  by  a  slight  incident,  which,  though 
in  itself  hardly  worthy  of  note,  has  a  dis- 
tinct bearing  upon  the  thread  of  our  story. 

Virginia  Graham,  the  beautiful  Vivan- 
diere,  on  that  afternoon,  appeared  in  camp 
fully  attired  in  a  chaste,  picturesque  cos- 
tume, with  the  usual  equipments  of  one  of 
her  calling ;  but  in  addition  to  that  which 
seemed  necessary  to  complete  the  character 
she  had  assumed,  she  carried  in  her  belt  a 
pair  of  silver-mounted  revolvers,  a  short 
banger,  and  a  murderous  looking  poniard  or 


dirk.  These  weapons  certainly  did  not  seem 
becoming  to  one  of  so  much  loveliness,  al- 
though I  could  not  help  surmising  that  they 
were  intended  rather  for  ornament  than  use ; 
for  no  one  could  have  suspected  that  there 
was  any  danger  in  them  while  in  her  posses- 
sion. 

"  Dunder  and  blitzen,  Major  Yenefer  ! " 
exclaimed  Lieutenant  Kreissman,  one  of  our 
general's  aids,  who,  with  other  officers,  were 
passing  away  the  hour  after  sunset  in  dis- 
playing their  skill  at  pistol  shooting  ;  "  look 
dere  !  dere  ish  a  peaudiful  beddycoad.  She 
comsh  dish  vay," 

"  Ha,  ha!  "  replied  the  Major,  "  that  is 
Captain  Manly's  agreeable  companion.  A 
day  or  two  since  she  was  a  drummer-boy  in 
jacket  and  pants ;  and  now, — bless  me  ! — 
she's  metamorphosed  into  a  camp-follower — 
a  regular  Vivandiere  !  I'll  ask  her  to  try  a 
shot  at  the  target,  for  I  see  she  carries  a  fine 
looking  brace  of  Smith  and  Wesson's  latest 
pattern." 

"  Bistols  !  Mine  Cot!  Such  a  peaudiful 
laty  wid  bistols!"  again  essayed  the  Teu- 
tonic lieutenant.  "She  never  will  haf  ter 
corn-age  to  bull  dcr  drigger." 

"Ah!  Vivandiere!"  accosted  Major 
Jenefer,  "  will  you  tiy  a  shot  at  our  target? 
It  is  only  fifteen  paces,  and  is  of  the  cucum- 
ference  of  a  dollar.  There  are  shots  all 
about  it,  but  no  one  has  penetrated  it.  You 
have  a  keen  eye — a  steady  hand — and  the 
handsomest  brace  of  pistols  in  the  army." 

"Thank  you  for  your  invitation,  3Iajor 
Jenefer,"  she  replied,  as  if  she  had  not  de- 
tected a  vein  of  u-ony  in  his  tones.  "  What ! 
the  target  not  hit?  " 

"  Vciy  nearly,  however.  I  have  a  shot 
within  an  inch  of  its  upper  circle.  Lieuten- 
ant Kreissman  has  one  a  trifle  better,  and 
Captain  Desha  one  better  still." 

"  And  there  goes  one  that  beats  them  aU," 
said  the  Vivandiere,  as  she  quickly  drew  one 
of  her  pistols,  and  cocking  it  while  it  de- 
scribed a  half  ciixjle  above  her  head,  she 
then  fired. 


SPY    OF    THE   GRAND    ARMY. 


23 


The  ball  actually  found  the  centre  of  the 
target,  to  the  astonishment  of  all  who  were 
engaged  in  the  sport. 

"^line  Cot!  Dat  ish  vot  I  calls  tarn 
splendid  shooting!  "  exclaimed  the  Dutch- 
man. 

"  A  splendid  chance  shot,"  quietly  re- 
marked I^Iajor  Jenefer.  "It  can't  be  done 
once  in  a  thousand  times." 

"  You  have  no  faith,  Major,"  replied  Vir- 
ginia, as  she  discharged  another  pistol. 

"  And  you  have  missed,"  he  replied, 
"  your  second  shot  is  as  wide  of  the  mark 
as  your  first  was  close." 

"  I  have  four  more  bullets  in  this  pistol, 
and  one  of  them,  I'm  quite  sure,  will  find 
that  target's  centre,"  said  Virginia,  and  she 
discharged  the  four  in  rapid  succession. 

"  All  failures,"  exclaimed  the  major. 

"  If  you  will  examine  the  target  I  tliink 
you  will  mend  your  speech,"  said  she,  in  a 
slightly  sarcastic  tone. 

One  of  the  officers,  whose  keen  eyes  de- 
tected a  little  elongation  of  the  dark  circle 
in  the  centre  of  the  target,  took  pains  to 
make  the  examination.  To  his  surprise  he 
found  that  not  only  a  second  ball  had  fol- 
lowed the  first,  but  that  the  entire  six  bullets 
from  her  weapon  had  entered  the  perfora- 
tion first  made ;  and  after  a  little  cutting 
'jato  the  tree  on  which  the  target  had  been 
placed,  he  produced  a  plug  of  lead  some 
iwo  inches  in  length,  almost  straight,  and 
j'nowing  the  lines  where  each  successive  shot 
<vas  joined  to  the  other. 

This  almost  incredible  feat,  the  author  ac- 
knowledges, has  been  claimed  for  one  or  two 
vther  heroic  sharpshooters ;  but,  most  proba- 
bly, it  was  never  before  peifonned  by  any 
aiai-ksman,  except  by  Captain  Martin  Scott, 
U.S.  A. — who  is  now  no  more.  His  brother 
)fficers  of  that  day  stoutly  maintained  that 
le  actually  accomplished  the  feat,  and  that 
t  must  be  received  with  more  credibility  than 
ihe  "  Coon  "  story  which  has  so  often  been 
published. 

"  By  dunderand  blitzen;  put  I  dinks  she 


must  have  porrowed  tcr  silver  pullet  of  Der 
Freischutz !  "  exclaimed  the  Dutchman,  raid- 
ing both  hands  expressive  of  his  wonder. 

"  You  have  peiformed  almost  a  miracle," 
said  the  surprised  officer  who  had  cut  the 
united  bullets  from  the  tree's  trunk. 

"  No,  gentlemen ;  I  have  only  shown  you 
that  a  woman  may  be  as  dangerous  with 
such  a  weapon  in  her  possession  as  one  of 
the  lords  of  creation,"  replied  Virginia,  with 
her  fall,  lustrous  eye  beaming  with  a  sinis- 
ter meaning  upon  the  redoubtable*  Major 
Jenefer. 

"Wolves  and  wolverines!"  essayed  a 
long,  lank  private,  who  belonged  to  a  com- 
pany of  sharpshooters  from  Michigan,  who 
rejoiced  in  the  euphonious  soubriquet  of 
Longrange  ;  '  I  hev  seen  some  sharp  shewt- 
in'  in  my  day,  but  may  I  never  pop  another 
reb  if  I  ever  seed  anything  to  beat  that. 
With  this  ere  shewtin'-iron,"  he  continued, 
patting  the  barrel  of  a  long  rifle  that  looked 
as  if  it  had  seen  no  little  service  ;  "  I  hev 
sent  bullets  inter  deer  and  wolves  on  the 
jump,  and  inter  wild  fowl  on  the  wing,  but 
I  never  plump'd  zackly  the  same  spot  with 
two  bullets.  I  say,  yoimg  leddy,  whar  war 
you  raised?  " 

"  In  Missouri,"  she  replied. 

"  And  whar  did  you  lam  to  shewt?  " 

"In the  army." 

"I  thort  you  must  ha'  been  born  with 
pistils  in  yer  hands,  and  fed  on  peowder  and 
bullets.  If  ever  thai'  wai*  a  nateral  sharp- 
shooter you  ar'  one.  Must  ha'  been  bona 
so,  for  I  never  seed  but  one  gal  who  cud 
shewt  a  bar  at  a  hundred  yards,  and  that 
gal's  my  wife ;  and  she's  prouder  than  a 
general's  aid  that  she  can  do  it.  It  '11  taka 
the  starch  right  out  on  her  when  I  cum  to 
tell  her  what  I've  seed  down  here.  If  ever 
you  're  in  a  tight  fix,  call  on  2eke  Long- 
range  and  he  '11  git  you  out  on  't  if  he  has 
to  run  his  legs  off  thru  shot  and  brimstone." 

"  Thank  you  for  your  good  intentions, 
Mr.  Longrange ;  "  but  I  trust  that  no  oo- 


24 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


caeion  will  occur  for  such  a  perilous  enter- 
prise on  my  account." 

"  Hillo  !  tliere  cums  our  gin'ral !  " 

"Good  evening,  gentlemen,"  said  the 
commander  of  the  corps,  as  he  answered  the 
sjilute  of  the  small  gi'oup  of  officers  and  pri- 
vates who  had  been  practising  at  the  target ; 
"I  have  important  business  for  an  active, 
intelligent  young  man,  who  is  wilUng  to  peril 
his  life  for  his  country's  cause.  The  enter- 
prise will  be  fraught  with  great  danger ; 
therefore  I  would  not  impose  the  task  iapon 
any  one.  It  must  be  performed  by  the  vol- 
untary act  of  a  patriotic  and  heroic  heart." 

No  one  appeared  ready  to  respond  to  this 
proposition.  All  seemed  to  be  suddenly 
Btruck  into  a  brown  study.  They  looked  as 
if  the  halter  of  a  spy  was  already  about 
their  necks. 

My  naturally  repulsive  nature  made  me 
resolve  in  my  mind  to  respond  to  the  gen- 
eral's proposition  ;  and  I  was  actually  about 
to  step  forth,  when  Virginia's  gaze  met  mine, 
with  her  finger  on  her  lip,  and  an  expression 
of  entreaty  upon  her  countenance,  which 
clearly  abjured  me  to  forego  my  suddenly- 
conceived  intention. 

Her  power  over  me  was  complete,  and  ray 
resolution  to  be  a  hero,  and  perchance  a 
martyr,  dissolved  in  an  instant. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,"  continued  the  gen- 
eral, "  I  cannot  reprove  you  for  shrinking 
from  perils  greater  than  those  we  have  al- 
ready encountered  and  ai'e  liable  to  encoun- 
ter any  day  ;  but  a  volunteer  must  be  found 
for  the  emergency,  for  it  is  of  the  utmost 
importance. 

He  tarried  for  afew  moments  in  silence, 
and  then  turning  on  his  heel,  walked  away. 

With  an  almost  conscience-stricken  heart, 
I  repaired  to  my  quarters.  Virginia  had 
preceded  me ,  After  indulging  in  reflections 
of  an  unpleasant  nature  for  nearly  half  an 
hour,  I  determined  to  ask  her  why  she  had 
intimated  to  me  that  I  must  not  respond  to 
my  commander's  wishes ;  but  on  caUing  for 
her  for  that  purpose,  Harry  Robeson,  who 


had  not  yet  quite  recovered  from  his  wound, 
iufoi-med  me  that  she  had  lefl  the  tent  im- 
mediately on  my  coming  in. 

This  circumstance  had  nothing  suspicious 
in  it,  nor  did  the  fact  that,  when  she  return- 
ed shortly  afterwards,  her  face  was  unusually 
flushed,  and  she  was  evidently  laboring  un- 
der a  state  of  mental  excitement  only  equal- 
led by  that  on  the  occasion  of  my  discover- 
ing her  sex.    I  remarked,  when  she  entered  : 

"Well,  Virginia,  I  did  not  voluntceT." 

"  Oh  !  I'm  so  glad  that  you  did  not,  for 
you  would  have  lefl  your  company  in  charge 
of  your  lieutenant,  who,  it  is  no  disparage- 
ment to  say,  is  not  fit  to  command.  Be- 
sides, Harry  Robeson  would  have  lost  the 
care  and  protection  of  his  captain,  which  he 
so  much  needs." 

"  Had  I  not  caught  your  meaning  glance 
at  the  moment  of  the  general's  call,  I  should 
have  responded. " 

"  Yes,  captain, — I  knew  it — I  saw  it,  and 
I  rejoice  that  I  prevented  it.  Another  can 
better  be  spared  than  you." 

It  must  be  confessed  that  I  felt  a  little 
piqued  that  she  possessed  such  an  unbound- 
ed influence  ovef  me,  but  my  tongue  could 
utter  no  words  of  reproof.  Fate  had,  for 
some  purpose  or  another,  hnked  her  destiny 
with  mine,  and  with  pleasurable  emotions 
I  awaited  her  decrees. 

The  next  few  hours  both  officers  and  pri- 
vates were  ftdly  occupied  in  preparations  for 
an  advance.  Before  midnight  orders  were 
promulgated  to  strike  tents.  In  repairing 
to  my  quarters  I  enquired  for  Virginia. 
Harry  Robeson  placed  in  my  hands  a  sealed 
note,  and  as  he  did  so  tears  flowed  down  his 
cheeks. 

"Pray,  what  is  the  matter?"  was  my 
tremulous  ejaculation,  as  with  trembhng 
hands  I  tore  the  envelope  from  the  missive. 

"  She  told  me  that  she  would  return  in  a 
few  days,"  he  replied  ;  "but,  perhaps,  the 
letter  will  explain." 

It  was  written  in  a  neat,  delicate  style  of 


SPY    OP    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


25 


chirograpliy ;  but  to  my  consternatioii  I  read 
as  follows : 

"  Dear  Captmn. — The  general's  mission 
which  you  would  have  accepted  has  devolved 
upon  me.  I  sought  the  position  and  obtain- 
ed it,  after  impressing  upon  oui*  valiant  com- 
mander's mind  that  it  was  ordained  by  Fate 
that  I  should  be  the  humble  instrument  of 
its  fulfilment.  When  we  meet  again  all 
shall  be  explained  and  my  adventm-es  re- 
counted. Till  then  entertain  not  a  blameful 
thought  for  the  poor  Vivandiere,  in  whom 
you  have  taken  so  great  an  interest,  and  for 
whom  you  have  done  so  much.  I  go  on  my 
mission  forthwith,  and  ere  morning  I  shall 
fee  many  miles  from  camp.  A  fleet  horse, 
saddled  and  bridled,  stands  ready  for  my 
use  at  headcjuarters.  Adieu,  and  believe  in 
the  grateful  heart  of 

Virginia  Graham." 

"  Great  God  !  "was  my  involuntary  ejac- 
ulation on  concluding  this  brief  letter. — 
Thoughts  of  peril  upon  peril  to  that  heroic 
and  beautiful  maiden,  who  had,  doubtless, 
given  herself  as  a  martyr  to  her  country.  I 
wondered  that  our  general  should  have  en- 
trusted any  duty  of  a  hazardous  nature  to  a 
woman — especially  to  one  so  young  and  so 
lovely.  I  questioned  his  wisdom — his  pru- 
dence— aye,  even  his  humanity  !  I  became 
indignant,  and  determined  on  the  first  op- 
portunity to  break  the  subject  to  him,  not- 
withstanding it  was  too  late  to  mend  the 
matter. 

Poor  HaiTy  Robeson  !  Ho  was  afflicted, 
but  his  sorrow  found  vent  in  a  flood  of  tears. 
I,  too,  was  afflicted,  but  the  sorrow  was  pent 
up  in  my  heart — a  heart  heavy  with  giief 
for  the  maiden's  absence,  and  anger  for  the 
indiscreet  general  who  had  ordered  it. 

Still  a  ray  of  hope  dawned  upon  my  mind. 
I  might  be  doing  a  gross  injustice  to  the  man 
in  whom  we  thus  far  had  almost  unlimited 
confidence ;  that,  perhaps,  after  all,  he  had 
only  sent  her  to  the  rear  with  despatches  to 
the  commander  of  reinforcements  daily  ex- 
pected ;  and  that  my  preconceived  appre- 
hensions that  the  duty  to  be  performed — 


to  wit :  that  of  a  spy — ^might  be  entirely 
groundless. 

Had  not  the  general  openly  declared  that 
the  mission  would  be  fraught  with  perils, 
my  mind  would  have  enjoyed  comparative 
ease ;  but  as  it  was,  I  must  undergo  con- 
stant mental  torture,  until  my  fears  could  be 
dispelled  by  her  return,  or  undoubted  as- 
surances of  her  safety. 

Before  daylight  the  next  morning  the 
grand  army  was  in  motion.  Our  corps  led 
the  advance ;  and  without  describing  our 
arduous  marches,  our  frequent  sku-mishes, 
our  great  battles,  which  history  has  made 
familiar  to  the  American  mind,  I  will  quietr 
ly  encamp  the  victorious  army  of  soldiers 
before  the  strongly-entrenched  city  of  Vicks- 
burg,  with  the  single  remark  that  the  gen- 
eral of  our  corps  at  Pittsburg  Landing  and 
Shiloh,  was  now  the  commander  of  the  grand 
army  of  the  Mssissippi. 


CHAPTEE    V. 

VICKSBURG THE     PICK   AND    THE     SPADE 

REBEL   HAND-GRENADES  AND  YANKEE  BUL- 
LETS  A   NEW    STYLE    OP   MAIL-BAG. 

ViCKSBURG  ! — the  boasted  stronghold  of 
the  rebels — the  once-noted  town  of  gamblers, 
slave-drivers,  slave -stealers,  thieves  and 
lynchers — is  situated  on  an  uneven  bluff  of 
the  Mississippi,  four  hundred  miles  from  New 
Orleans,  and  fifty  miles  from  Jackson,  the 
capital  of  the  State. 

Its  position  for  defence  was  deemed  ad- 
mu'able,  and  in  the  hands  of  skilful  engin- 
eers, and  a  brave,  patriotic  garrison,  with 
adequate  supplies,  it  might  have  defied  all 
the  powers  of  Federal  resources,  strategy 
and  ingenuity. 

But  our  brave  general  had  well  counted 
the  cost ;  for,  through  some  agency,  which 
no  one  else  understood,  he  possessed  knowl- 
edge of  every  approach ;  of  every  gun 
mounted  upon  the  formidable  rampai-ts ;   of 


26 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,  THE 


every  pound  of  powder  in  their  magazines  ; 
of  every  shot  and  shell  within  their  works  ; 
every  ration  in  their  storehouses,  and  the 
number  of  troops  in«  their  barracks. 

To  ordinary  minds  these  must  have  seem- 
ed too  vast,  too  powerful  to  cope  with  or  to 
overcome  by  the  army  who  bad  actually 
fought  its  way  through  morasses,  over 
bridges,  amid  storms  of  shot  and  shell,  to 
the  rear  of  the  Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi, 
where  it  would  receive  the  co-operation  of  a 
powerful  gunboat  fleet  in  its  front. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  cause  for  exul- 
tation over  the  brilliant  success  thus  far  of 
the  gi-and  army  of  the  Mississippi,  I  must 
confess  that  my  spirits  were  sorely  depressed. 

Months  had  elapsed,  and  not  a  word  of 
information  had  I  received  from  Virginia 
Graham ;  and  I  should  long  since  have 
mourned  her  as  dead,  had  not  our  com- 
mander assured  me  that  there  was  no  cause 
,for  the  anxiety  I  had  manifested  on  her  ac- 
count. 

Whatever  information  he  possessed,  he 
certainly  thought  it  the  part  of  wisdom  to 
keep  locked  within  his  own  breast. 

Perhaps  my  extreme  solicitude  might  have 
been  greatly  lessened  had  she  not  been  kept 
constantly  in  my  mind  by  the  troubled  looks 
and  tearful  eyes  of  Harry  Robeson,  who 
daily  besought  me  for  tidings  of  his  good 
angel. 

I  could  only  bid  the  boy  hope  that  she 
would  re-appear  at  no  distant  day.  He  still 
occupied  my  quarters,  and  day  by  day  my 
attachment  to  him  increased ;  for  I  found 
him  intelligent  beyond  his  years,  and  as  he 
had  recovered  from  his  wound  he  not  only 
performed  his  duties  as  dz-ummer-boy,  but 
insisted  on  showing  his  gratitude  to  me  by 
acting  the  part  of  an  amanuensis,  and  in 
copying  my  company  records,  returns,  &c. 

As  he  was  a  good  penman  his  services 
were  of  no  inconsiderable  value  to  me  ;  for 
after  the  fatigues  of  tlife  day,  I  was  little 
capacitated  to  perform  this  part  of  a  cap- 
tain's duty. 


The  days,  weeks  and  months  that  the  army 
had  beleagured  the  doomed  city  were  those 
of  toil,  of  suffering  and  of  danger.  Skirm- 
ishing with  desperate  detachments  of  the 
enemy,  sent  out  to  annoy  us ;  sometimes 
battling  with  a  host  who  vainly  hoped  to  de- 
stroy us ;  and  at  other  times  replying  to  the 
cannonading  from  commanding  bastions  and 
from  battlemented  walls,  made  up  the  inter- 
vals which  were  not  occupied  with  the  pick 
and  the  spade  in  throwing  up  intrenchments 
in  our  slow  approach.  Sleep  could  only  be 
obtained  when  the  enemy  were  as  exhausted 
as  ourselves. 

If  our  regiment  held  not  the  post  of  honor 
during  this  period  of  arduous  labor  and  san-  ■ 
guinary  strife,  it  certainly  was  not  rivalled 
in  its  endeavors  always  to  seek  the  post  of 
danger.  Our  rifle  pits  were  usually  in  ad- 
vance of  all  others,  and  we  finally  succeeded, 
by  days  and  nights  of  diligent  digging,  in 
making  an  approach  almost  directly  be- 
neath a  formidable  outwork,  defended  by 
ordnance  of  the  heaviest  calibre. 

So  near  were  we  to  this  work  of  the  ene- 
my that  they  found  no  difficulty  in  occasion- 
ally treating  us  to  a  shower  of  stones  thrown 
from  the  parapet,  and  by  way  of  variety,  a 
hand-grenade  or  two,  which  latter  was  at 
first  a  source  of  considerable  mischief 

But  our  riflemen  in  the  pits  repaid  them 
amply  for  this  species  of  amusement;  for 
whenever  a  stone-slinger  or  a  grenade-thrower 
showed  his  head  above  the  ramparts,  woe  be 
to  him ! — ten  to  one  he  would  disappear 
without  any  voluntary  effort  on  his  part. 

Our  loss  from  these  causes  gradually  les- 
sened, although  the  enemy  persisted  in  thus 
annoying  us,  to  his  own  great  loss ;  for  we 
had  so  tunnelled  the  earth  beneath  the  frown- 
ing battlements  that  the  cavern  served  as  a 
casemate  for  shielding  our  men,  and  the  ex- 
plosive missiles  generally  lost  theu  intended 
effects. 

Like  so  many  active  miners,  we  dug  slowly 
into  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  for  our  grand 
purpose,  as  must  be  obvious  to  the  reader. 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND   ARMY. 


27 


was  to  undermine  and  blow  up  a  fortress, 
which  stood,  like  many  others,  an  impassa- 
ble barrier  in  our  victorious  way. 

To  assault  it  would  have  involved  too  se- 
vere a  loss  to  our  conquering  legions ;  to 
batter  it  down  with  such  of  our  siege  guns 
as  could  be  brought  within  range  would  be 
but  a  fruitless  endeavor  ;  to  attempt  its  de- 
sti-uction  by  shelling  would  have  been  but  a 
waste  of  valuable  ammunition  needed  for  the 
reduction  of  the  citadel  itself. 

Therefore,  our  patient  but  persistent  gen- 
ei"al  decided  upon  a  slower,  a  safer  and  surer 
way  to  demolish  a  series  of  intrenchments 
which  frowned  upon  the  besiegers,  like  so 
many  volcanoes,  belching  forth  smoke  and 
flame  and  tons  of  deadly  missiles. 

The  most  formidable,  he  determined,  must 
be  mined,  and  the  lesser  might  then  be  more 
easily  carried  by  assault.  Those  who  carp 
at  the  use  of  the  pick  and  spade,  let  them 
loolv  to  their  results  at  Vicksburg. 

We  had  prosecuted  our  work  within  a  few 
yards  of  the  spot  marked  out  by  our  engin- 
eer for  depositing  the  mighty  agent  which 
was  to  ensure  death  and  destraction  to  all 
above,  when  a  portion  of  the  earth  at  the 
portal  of  our  cave  gave  away. 

Fearing  that  a  greater  mass  might  fall, 
and  seal  us  up,  as  in  a  tomb,  we  all  rushed 
forth  and  commenced  clearing  away  the 
earth,  and  securing  the  arch  above. 

The  rebels  quickly  discovered  our  plight, 
and  being  unable  to  bring  even  a  musket  to 
bear  upon  us,  strove  to  annoy  us  by  rolling 
down  a  variety  of  missiles  into  our  midst, 
and  among  the  rest,  a  score  or  two  of  hand- 
grenades,  which  produced  several  casualties. 

Unfortunately,  the  atmosphere  was  so 
misty  the  riflemen  in  the  pits  could  not  dis- 
cern them ;  they,  therefore,  for  some  little 
time,  ptirsued  their  pastime  xyith  impunity, 
and  we  were  compelled  to  expose  ourselves 
xmtil  the  damage  which  we  accidently  sus- 
tained was  repaired. 

No  less  than  five  times  was  I  struck  with 


the  fragments  of  bursting  grenades ;  but, 
fortunately,  I  escaped  any  serious  wound. 

"  Dangnation  !  "  exclaimed  Longrange, 
as  his  eyes,  nose  and  mouth  were  treated  to 
a  handful  of  gravel,  thrown  up  by  one  of 
the  grenades  which  had  exploded  near  him. 
"  Dangnation !  I  '11  not  stand  this  ere  kind 
o'  fightin'  no  longer !  Mayn't  I  gin  'em, 
capen,  a  crack  or  two  of  my  rifle." 

"  It  would  be  almost  certain  death  to  ex- 
pose your  head  to  their  view,"  was  my  reply. 

"  I'll  draw  a  bead  on  'em  without  shewin' 
half  a  head.  They  can't  hit  me  with  one  of 
them  dang'd  fiery  snappin'-turtles.  Just  let 
me  try ;  and  if  they  hit  me  I  won't  ask  to 
try  again." 

"  No,  that  you  wouldn't.  If  a  plug  of 
lead  is  lodged  in  your  skull  the  army  will 
lose  a  soldier  that  it  can't  afibrd  to  spare ; — 
a  soldier  that's  worth  the  lives  of  forty  reb- 
els." 

"  Thank  yer,  capen,  for  so  bad  a  compli- 
ment. Dang  me  if  I  think  a  hundred  on 
'em  is  wuth  a  good  sized  polecat.  But  jest 
let  me  try  and  stop  this  ere  meanest  kind  o' 
fightin',  whar  the  pesky  vannints  have  it  aU 
their  own  way,  and  I'll  dig  dirt  for  the  next 
week  without  grumbling." 

The  sharpshooter  manifested  so  much  earn- 
estness in  his  request  that  I  finally  gave  him 
permission  to  try  his  luck,  but  warned  him 
to  use  the  extremest  caution  as  to  exposing 
his  person. 

He  seized  his  rifle,  and  slinging  his  pow- 
der-horn and  bullet-pouch  over  his  shoulders, 
he  mounted  a  steep  embankment  where  he 
could  just  get  range  of  the  enemy's  parapet, 
and  stretching  his  long  body  upon  the  earth, 
waited  for  the  ro-appearance  of  one  of  the 
gi'enade  throwers. 

Before  one  of  the  latter  had  released  the 
destructive  weapon  from  his  grasp,  he  fell 
backwards  and  disappeared. 

A  few  rods  beyond  the  spot  where  Long- 
range  had  enscoused  himself,  he  discovered 
a  boulder,  partly  imbedded  in  the  earth.  It 
was  perhaps  thiice  the  size  of  a  man's  head. 


28 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


To  obtain  it  was  a  work  of  imminent  peril, 
and  no  prudent  officer  would  for  a  moment 
entertain  a  proposition  from  a  soldier  to  un- 
dertake the  risk  of  moving  a  single  step 
towaids  it. 

But  Longrange  took  the  fearful  responsi- 
bility ;  and  no  sooner  had  he  discliarged  his 
piece,  than  he  crept  forward  on  his  hands 
and  knees,  seized  the  coveted  prize,  tore  it 
from  the  turf  in  which  it  was  strongly  im- 
bedded, and  bore  it  to  the  edge  of  the  em- 
bankment. 

The  rebels  had  discovered  him  almost  on 
the  instant,  Und  hurled  down  upon  him  a 
shower  of  stones  as  a  first  greeting ;  then 
came  half  a  dozen  gi'enades,  followed  by  three 
or  four  shots  from  riflemen ;  and,  to  make 
sure  of  his  destniction  for  approaching  into 
the  veiy  jaws  of  death,  one  of  the  casemate 
guns  was  actually  fired  upon  him. 

Strange  to  relate,  he  escaped  with  a  whole 
skin  ;  and  again  getting  his  long  body  into 
an  inclined  position,  with  his  legs  dangling 
over  the  edge  of  the  embankment,  and  his 
head  in  the  rear  of  the  boulder,  he  deliber- 
ately proceeded  to  load  and  fii-e  his  piece 
whenever  the  smallest  portion  of  a  rebel  be- 
came visible  to  liis  quick,  keen  eye. 

One  after  another  they  would  rush  upon 
the  parapet,  let  fly  a  lighted  gi-enade,  and 
without  tarrying  to  watch  its  efiects,  would 
as  suddenly  fiill  back,  unless  accelerated  in 
this  last  movement  by  the  aid  of  the  loyal 
rifleman's  bullet. 

At  length  a  young  looking  soldier  had 
the  temerity  to  appeal*  upon  the  parapet,  and 
to  stand  at  full  length  for  some  moments, 
surveying  the  scene.  Longrange  aimed  his 
unerring  ri5e,  and  his  finger  was  upon  the 
trigger.  A  slight  pressure  of  the  finger 
would  have  sent  a  ball  to  the  bold  rebel's 
heart ;  but  there  was  an  uncertain  monitor 
within  him  whispering  not  to  fire. 

He  brought  down  his  rifle  and  gazed  upon 
the  reckless  young  soldier  ;  and  he  wonder- 
ed that  some  trusty  weapon  other  than  his 
own  did  not  cut  his  thread  of  life. 


The  youth  held  in  his  hand  a  grenade, 
but  the  fuse  had  cither  accidentally  become 
extino-iiished,  or  he  had  himself  extinfmished 
it.  After  some  hesitation  he  hurled  it  in 
the  direction  of  the  sharpshooter.  It  fell 
almost  within  reach  of  his  arm ;  and  with 
his  face  buried  in  his  hijnds  and  resting  upon 
the  earth,  he  awaited  the  explosion ;  but 
Longrange  was  neitlier  to  be  killed  nor 
wounded  by  so  wretched  a  war  implement 
as  a  hand-gi-enade. 

After  waiting  sufficiently  long  for  the  ex- 
pected explosion,  he  ventured  to  raise  his 
head  sufficiently  to  take  a  look  at  the  infer- 
nal machine.  There  it  was,  lying  as  dor- 
mant and  harmless  as  the  boulder  which  had 
been  his  shield  from  the  enemy's  bullets. 

Without  leaving  his  position,  he  managed, 
with  the  aid  of  the  rammer  of  his  rifle,  to 
draw  the  grenade  towards  him,  resolving  to 
inspect  its  interior  as  soon  as  he  could  find 
opportunity. 

Soon  the  mist  which  had  veiled  the  earth 
since  morning  became  dispelled,  so  that  a 
score  or  more  of  sharpshooters  from  the  com- 
paratively secure  rifle  pits  soon  made  it  im- 
possible for  grenadiers  of  cannoniers  to  show 
themselves  upon  the  parapet. 

Longrange  now  withdrew  from  the  posi- 
tion which  he  had  occupied  about  an  hour, 
and  with  the  unexploded  grenade  reported 
himself  to  me. 

"Thar's  one  o'  them  ere  infarnal  snap- 
pin'-turtles  that  didn't  go  ofi*,"  said  he, 
holding  up  the  grenade  to  my  view. 

"Be  careful,  Longrange,"  I  cautioned, 
"  it  may  explode,  even  now.  There's  no 
Icnowing  what  infernal  inventions  our  ene- 
mies may  send  among  us  that  can  possibly 
contribute  to  our  destruction." 

"I'll  soon  spile  this  for  any  harm  it  may 
do,"  replied  the  sharpshooter,  as  he  dropped 
the  grenade  into  a  bucket  of  water.  "  I'll 
risk  any  vartue  there  is  the  dang'd  thing 
now." 

After  aUovdng  it  to  remain  a  few  moments 
he  drew  out  the  water-soaked  fuse  and  then 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


29 


proceeded  to  inspect  its  explosive  contents. 
There  was  first  taken  out  a  slight  quantity 
of  wet  powder ;  and  then  followed  a  strata 
of  wax. 

"  Whoever  made  that  grenade  purposely 
cheated  the  rebels,"  I  remarked.  "Why, 
it  appears  as  harmless  as  an  empty  canteen." 

After  the  wax  had  been  removed,  he  drew 
forth,  to  my  infinite  surprise,  a  sealed  letter 
directed  to  "  U.  S.  Gr.,  Major  General,  &c., 
&;c.,  together  with  several  other  papers 
bearing  the  initials  of  his  name  merely. 

"Ah!"  I  exclaimed,  "this  must  have 
been  thrown  by  some  friendly  hand." 

"  The  youngster  that  throw'd  it,  capen, 
cum  nigh  tastin'  one  o'  my  blue  pills,  but 
somehow  or  nuther  I  couldn't  pull  trigger 
on  him,  and  he  got  off  with  a  hull  hide." 

"  That's  fortunate,"  said  I,  intent  upon 
the  superscription  of  the  letter  ;  "  fortunate, 
too,  that  it  has  fallen  into  right  hands.  I'll 
away  to  the  general's  head-quarters  as  soon 
as  it  is  dark. 

"  Major,  I've  been  thinkin'  that  that  thar 
chap  what  throw'd  that  new-fashioned  mail- 
bag,  I've  sot  eyes  on  afore,  but  whar  and 
when  is  a  poser,"  remarked  Longrange, 
thoughtfully;  " and  mebbe,  arter  aU,  that's 
the  rayson  I  didn't  let  my  reb-killer  bai-k  at 
him !  He  was  as  good  a  target  as  I  ever 
squinted  at,  but  I  hadn't  a  heart  to  fire,  and 
I'm  dang'd  glad  I  didn't." 

It  now  wanted  but  a  few  minutes  of  sun- 
set, and  an  hour  later  it  would  be  compar- 
atively safe  to  go  to  the  rear,  but  the  mo- 
ments sped  like  hours.  Had  I  regarded 
hazarding  only  my  own  life,  I  should  have 
exposed  myself  to  the  storm  of  shot  that 
would  inevitably  follow  any  federal  soldier 
wlio  should  attempt  such  a  feat;  but  I 
felt  that  I  possessed  important  despatches  for 
our  general,  which  had  fallen  into  my  hands 
in  the  strangest  manner,  and  that  my  safety 
would  ensure  theirs. 

No  sooner  did  the  gi-ey  shadows  begin  to 
creep  over  the  wide  plain  I  must  traverse, 
than  I  emerged  from  our  subterranean  shel- 


ter, and  with  the  speed  of  a  prize-runner  I 
rapidly  increased  the  distance  from  the  frowrir 
ing  batteries  and  loop-holes  behind  me. 

I  crossed  the  cleared  space  in  safety,  and 
reached  a  camp  of  artillery,  where,  making 
known  my  errand  to  the  officer  in  command, 
I  gained  knowledge  of  the  head-quarters  of 
the  general-in-chief,  and  also  obtained  a  fleet 
steed  to  aid  me  on  my  journey,  for  I  ascer- 
tained that  I  had  nearly  four*  miles  further 
to  travel  before  I  should  reach  my  place  of 
destination. 

With  occasional  halts  to  answer  the  de- 
mands of  sentinels  on  my  route,  I  met  with 
no  obstacles,  and  before  "  taps  "  were  heard 
that  night,  I  stood  before  the  general's 
marquee  demanding  admittance  on  business 
of  importance. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

IMPORTANT     DESPATCHES THE     GENERAL 

A   PEKILODS    ADVENTURE. 

It  appeared  that  an  assemblage  of  corps 
and  division  commanders  was  in  consulta- 
tion with  their  chief,  and  consequently  a  re- 
quest was  conveyed  to  me  by  the  general's 
orderly  that  I  must  wait  until  the  council 
should  be  dismissed.  Thinking  that  it  was 
probable  I  possessed  despatches  which  might 
be  of  immediate  service  to  the  council  in 
their  deliberations,  I  tore  a  blank  leaf  from 
my  diary,  and  wrote  with  a  pencil  thereupon 
these  words : 

"  To  Major  General  Grant.  I  am  the 
bearer  of  despatches  received  this  day  from 
within  the  enemy's  entrenchments. 

Julian  Manly, 
Capt.  Co.  A,  — th  Illinois  Vols." 

In  less  time  than  it  required  to  write  this 
brief  note,  I  received  a  request  from  the 
general,  desiring  my  immediate  attendance. 
I  followed  the  bearer  into  the  marquee,  and 
found  myself  face  to  face  with  our  honored 
chief,  surrounded  by  a  number  of  the  ablest 


30 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


generals  who  served  under  him.  I  saluted 
him,  and  without  uttering  a  word  placed  in 
his  hands  the  several  papers. 

"From  whence  did  these  come?"  he 
asked,  looking  at  the  superscription. 

"From  within  Fort  Pemberton,"  Ire- 
plied. 

"  By  what  means  did  you  obtain  posses- 
sion of  them?  " 

"  They  were  taken  from  a  harmless,  hand- 
grenade  which  was  thrown  over  the  entrench- 
ment towards  our  advanced  work." 

"  Know  you  from  whom  they  came  ?  " 

"No,  sir." 

"  Are  you  not  aware,  sir,  that  great  cau- 
tion is  to  be  exercised  in  receiving  anything 
that  comes  from  the  enemy  in  such  a  clandes- 
tine shape?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  due  caution  was  exercised 
in  this  case." 

' '  But  how  do  you  know  that  each  one  of 
these  envelopes  does  not  contain  some  deadly 
material  which  may  explode  on  breaking  the 
seal?" 

That  was,  indeed,  a  possible  contingency 
which  hatl  not  occurred  to  me,  and  I  hesi- 
tated to  make  answer.  In  truth,  a  sense  of 
embarrassment  began  to  creep  over  me,  lest 
I  might  be  considered  the  confederate  of  an 
assassin.  Before  I  could  frame  a  reasonable 
reply  the  chief  himself  relieved  me.  Said 
he 

"  There  is  no  danger  to  be  apprehended 
in  this  case,  for  I  recognize  in  the  super- 
scription the  hand  that  penned  it.  For  your 
good  sen'ices  in  bearing  these  despatches 
so  promptly  to  head-quarters,  receive  our 
thanks ;  and  before  returning  to  your  quar- 
ters let  me  see  you  again.  In  thirty  min- 
utes I  shall  be  at  liberty  ta  speak  with  you 
in  private." 

I  saluted  the  chief  and  his  subordinates 
and  made  my  exit. 

The  half  hour  of  my  dismissal  from  the 
chief's  presence,  I  passed  in  visiting  the 
head-quarters  of  a  cavalry  regiment  from  my 
own  State,  in  the  immediate  vicinity.    Here 


I  obtained  newspapers  of  recent  dates,  and 
much  iuforniation  from  my  own  city  that 
we  who  were  in  the  extreme  advance  had 
been  several  days  deprived  of. 

Promptly,  at  the  expiration  of  thirty  min- 
utes, I  again  passed  the  sentinels  stationed 
befcJre  the  chief's  quarters,  and  was  fortliwith 
ushered  into  his  presence.  The  council  of 
ofiScers  had  been  dismissed,  and  he  was  alone. 

He  arose  to  receive  me — greeted  me  cor- 
dially— and  bade  me  occupy  a  camp-stool 
near  enough  to  him  to  enable  us  to  converse 
in  whispers  if  we  had  desired.  He  bade  me 
state  the  full  particulars  of  the  manner  the 
despatches  were  communicated  to  us,  which 
I  did,  giving  Longrange  full  credit  for  se- 
curing that  which  he  styled  a  new-fashioned 
mail-bag.  I  also  informed  hkn  of  the  nar- 
row escape  the  thrower  of  the  grenade  had 
from  Longrangc's  rifle,  and  of  his  conclusions 
as  to  the  reasons  which  induced  him  to  for- 
bear shooting  him. 

' '  Ah !  how  fortunate  !  It  would  grieve 
me  less  to  lose  a  regiment  of  lives  than  that 
that  noble — noble — youth — should  perish," 
replied  the  general.  "  Let  me  now  inform 
you  that  Vicksburg  is  nearer  ours  by  a  month 
than  I  felt  it  to  be  an  hour  since.  The  in- 
foi-mation  I  gained  from  those  missives  was 
of  the  most  important  character  and  hastened  - 
our  dehberations  to  most  unanimous  conclu-  j 
sions.»  You  may  cheer  the  hearts  of  your 
brave  comrades  in  front  by  telling  them  that 
it  is  not  idle  boasting  in  their  general  to  say 
to  them  that  if  they  but  continue  to  jjcrfonn 
their  arduous  duties  until  Independence  day, 
they  shall  have  a  glorious  holiday  in  cele- 
brating it  within  the  enemy's  innermost  walls. 
Yes,  captain,  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  if  I 
can  read  events,  and  the  signs  of  the  times, 
we  shall  enter  the  city  triumphantly.  But, 
by  the  by,  captain,  how  progress  the  mining 
operations  beneath  Fort  Pemberton  ?  " 

' '  We  shall  be  allowed  to  lay  down  the 
pick  and  the  spade  in  that  direction  in  the 
course  of  three  days,"  was  my  reply. 

"'T  is  well,  for  I  have  certain  informa- 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


31 


tion  that  the  enemy  commences  countermin- 
ing to-morrow  morning,  but  it  will  require 
ten  days  and  ten  nights  of  active  digging  of 
all  the  men  that  they  can  put  on  the  work 
hefore  can  be  reached  the  farthest  point  that 
it  will  be  necessary  for  "you  to  advance." 

The  chief  wa.s  in  most  excellent  spirits, 
and  he  communicated  much  information  in 
regard  to  the  operations  within  Vieksburg's 
walls  and  outworks  that  I  had  not  dreamed 
of;  and  it  was  clearly  apparent  that  he  had 
occasional  intercourse  from  a  most  intelli- 
gent source  from  within  the  enemy's  boasted 
stronghold  ;  otherwise  such  detailed  infor- 
mation could  not  be  procured. 

For  nearly  an  hour  he  continued,  alter- 
nately informing  me  of  many  interesting 
matters  that  were  new  to  me,  and  in  plying 
me  with  questions.  Suddenly  he  stopped, 
and  consulting  his  watch  he  said  : 

' '  Do  you  propose  to  return  to  your  quar- 
ters to-night  V  ' ' 

"I  do,  sir,  most  assm-edly." 

"  You  will  need  an  escort,  eh  ?  If  so,  a 
squad  of  cavalry  shall  serve  you." 

"  No,  general,  I  have  a  fleet  steed  for 
most  of  the  journey,  and  a  nimble  pair  of 
legs  for  the  balance." 

"  Just  as  you  choose,"  he  replied;  "and 
now  for  a  glass  of  wine,  and  I'll  detain  you 
no  longer.  Perhaps  you  prefer  whiskey.  I 
always  keep  a  little  for  such  occasions  as 
these,  but  officers  you  know  must  drink 
sparingly.  I  have  the  reputation  in  some 
envious  quai-ters  of  imbibing  too  freely  for  a 
general,  but  I'll  venture  to  say  that  my  de- 
famers  drink  thrice  to  my  once.  One  or 
two  glasses  per  day  suffices  for  my  appetite." 

I  did  not  refuse  the  proffered  glass,  when 
I  considered  that  I  had  a  five  or  six  mile 
journey  to  perform  ;  and  as  he  raised  the 
glass  to  his  lips  he  said : 

"  Here's  health  and  success  to  you,  cap- 
tain; and,  remember,  when  Vicksburg  is 
ours  you  shall  exchange  those  leaves  for  an 
eagle,  or  your  commander  will  not  possess 


that  influence  which  his  services  entitle  him 
to." 

I  thanked  him  for  his  flattering  promise, 
and  took  this  opportunity  to  make  the  en- 
quiry of  him  which  lingered  on  my  tongue's 
end  during  our  entu-e  interview.  It  was  the 
subject  nearest  my  heart.  I  enquired  for 
Virginia  Graham — of  her  whereabouts — and 
if  I  could  again  receive  from  him  assurances 
of  her  safety. 

."  Why,  captain,  I  think  you  told  me  once 
that  you  were  a  married  man,  and  had  a 
lovely  wife  that  you  regarded  with  adora- 
tion," he  remarked. 

"  It  is  true,  general." 

' '  Then  why  do  you  take  an  ardent  lover's 
interest  in  this  beautiful  follower  of  oiu: 
camp  ?  Beware,  captain,  lest,  when  you  re- 
turn home,  you  will  l^ave  to  encounter  the 
green-ey-ed  monster,  jealousy. 

"  I  fear  not  that,  for  there  is  no  earthly 
power  that  can  estrange  my  affections  from 
my  beloved  wife  ;  but  I  confess  that  I  have 
conceived  a  strange,  unaccountable  interest 
in  that  yoTing  girl ;  and  to  leani  that  any 
harm  had  befallen  her  would  grieve  me  to 
the  very  soul.  I  would  not  hear  it  for  the 
sake  of  little  HaiTy  Robeson,  who  plies  me 
daily  with  questions  concerning  her  that  I 
have  not  the  power  to  answer." 

"  Well,  well,  captain,  I  can  inform  you 
on  one  point ;  she  is  alive  and  well ;  will 
cot  that  satisfy  you?  " 

"  Scarcely,  general." 

"Well,  then,  if  no  unforeseen  event  oc- 
curs within  the  next  twenty  days,  I  doubt 
not  you  will  have  the  satisfaction  of  seeing 
her  within  our  army  lines." 

I  would  have  made  further  enquiries,  but 
knowing  well  the  temperature  of  our  com- 
mander, I  forbore ;  and  after  thanking  him 
for  his  encouraging  words  I  took  my  leave, 
mounted  the  horse  which  stood  ready  for  me 
in  front  of  the  mai'quee,  and  galloped  off  at 
full  speed. 

I  answered  the  challenges  of  the  various 
sentinels  as  I  proceeded,  and  soon  reached 


32 


VIRGINIA  GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


the  artillery  camp  where  I  had  procured  the 
animal  which  had  borne  me  on  my  errand 
with  such  speed  and  safety,  and  where  I 
resigned  him  to  his  owner. 

The  rest  of  the  way  must  be  traversed  on 
foot,  and  although  the  distance  was  not  one 
fourth  of  that  I  had  travelled  in  the  saddle, 
yet  it  was  far  more  hazardous ;  for  the 
stars  had  become  veiled  with  thick  murky 
clouds,  threatening  a  storm,  and  created  a 
darkness  which,  oi'dinarily,  would  have  -de- 
terred a  stouter  and  braver  heart  than  mine 
to  have  encountered.  But  I  well  knew  if  I 
reached  not  my  quarters  before  daybreak, 
they  could  not  with  any  degree  of  safety  be 
reached  before  the  following  night.  I  there- 
fore nerved  myself  for  the  journey  and  passed 
the  outposts  of  the  camp  just  at  midnight, 
and  while  the  guards  were  marcliing  the 
grand-roiands. 

I  had  but  a  general  idea  of  the  route  I 
was  to  travel,  and  there  was  nothing  beyond 
an  instinctive  power  to  guide  me.  I  had 
proceeded  not  more  than  a  fourth  of  a  mile 
when  the  wind  began  to  blow  furiously,  and 
anon  the  rain  began  to  fall,  and  increased 
until  it  seemed  to  descend  in  oblique  sheets, 
drenching  me  to  the  skin.  As  I  had  to  face 
this  ton-ent,  little  progress  could  be  made, 
and  many  times  it  caused  me  to  face  about 
to  avoid  its  almost  blinding  fury. 

At  length  I  became  so  bewildered  that  I 
was  at  a  loss  to  know  on  which  quarter  of 
the  compass  my  slow  progress  was  being 
made,  and  I  was  just  resolving  in  my  mind 
whether  I  would  not  bivouac  on  the  drench- 
ed earth,  when  I  stumbled  headlong  into 
what  I  supposed  to  be  a  ditch  ;  but  quickly 
did  I  discover  my  mistake,  for  the  noise  of 
the  fall  had  aroused  a  sleeping  tenant  of  the 
place,  who  immediately  ejaculated  : 

"  Dick  !  Dick,  I  say,  what's  the  matter?  " 

The  other  lazily  responded  with  an  oath 
for  disturbing  him  just  as  he  had  fairly  got 
to  sleep,  and  charged  his  comrade  with  hav- 
ing the  nightmare. 

The  truth  flashed  upon  my  mind  that  I 


was  in  a  rebel  rifle-pit !  and  therefore  had 
deviated  from  my  true  course  several  points 
of  the  compass.  I  of  course  stirred  not, 
but  lay  like  a  log  half  imbedded  in  mud 
and  water.  The  soldier  who  was  first  arous- 
ed had  seized  his  ■  rifle  and  come  to  the 
mouth  of  the  pit  where  I  was  lying,  and  had 
he  moved  another  step  in  advance  he  would 
assuredly  have  planted  his  heavy  heel  upon 
my  breast;  but,  contenting  himself  with 
looking  at  the  gloomy  opaqueness  before  him, 
he  turned  and  sought  his  repose  again  upon 
a  heap  of  straw  within  a  few  feet  of  the  mud- 
bed  in  which  I  was  lying. 

As  profound  silence  was  my  only  safe- 
guard then,  I  waited,  perhaps,  half  an  hour 
— it  seemed  two  hours — to  be  assured  that 
my  sharpshooting  enemies  were  in  the  sure 
embrace  of  the  god  of  sleep.  Then  I  had 
the  satisfaction  of  hearing  a  stout  pair  of 
nasal  organs  breathe  forth  in  concert. 

Noiselessly  I  extricated  my  body  fi-om  the 
wet,  sticky  soil,  and  once  more  stood  erect. 
The  stonn-clouds  had  passed  over,  and  bright 
stars  once  more  began  to  twinkle  in  the 
heavens. 

Without  moving  I  strained  my  eyes  in 
the  direction  of  my  unconscious  enemies. 
At  first  nothing  could  be  discerned,  but  at 
length  I  made  out  the  outhne  of  the  soldier 
nearest  me,  and  as  his  rifle  was  lying  paral- 
lel to  his  body  I  ventured  to  appropriate  it, 
partly  as  a  trophy  of  this  involuntary  adven- 
ture, and  partly  to  defend  myself  in  case  of 
necessity. 

The  barrel  of  the  weapon  was  resting 
across  his  extended  left  arm,  and  it  required 
extreme  cautiousness  to  remove  it.  The  mo- 
ment I  had  laid  hands  upon  the  breech,  and 
raised  it  from  his  arm,  he  started  up  as 
quickly  as  if  I  had  removed  a  limb  from  his 
body — so  sensitive  does  the  soldier  become 
by  long  and  constant  use  of  the  weapon 
which  afibrds  him  the  power  of  self-defence. 

He  grasped  the  muzzle  instantly  with 
both  hands,  but  I  drew  it  from  him  in  an 
instant,  and  in  doing  so  I  must  have  cut 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


S3 


his  hands  with  the  bayonet,  for  he  uttered  a 
terrific  shriek. 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation  I  drew 
back  the  weapon  and  made  a  fierce  lunge  at 
his  bpdy.  I  must  have  struck  a  vital  point, 
for  he  fell  back  without  a  groan. 

His  comrade  had  become  aroused,  seized 
his  rifle,  and  fired.  The  ball  .whizzed  in 
fearful  proximity  to  my  right  ear,  and  al- 
though I  felt  a  smart,  tingling  sensation  at 
the  tip  of  that  organ,  I  was  not  aware  that 
the  ball  had  perforated  its  edge  until  after- 
ward. 

x\fter  discharging  his  rifle  he  made  a  lunge 
at  me  with  £he  bayonet,  but,  dai'k  as  it  was, 
I  dexterously  avoided  the  blow,  and  the 
next  moment  he  was  a  bleeding  corpse  beside 
his  companion. 

With  my  captured  musket  I  leaped  quick- 
ly from  the  rifle  pit,  and  ran  in  the  direc- 
tion which  I  thought  was  the  proper  one. 
The  rifle  report  had  reached  the  neighboring 
pits,  and  I  distinctly  heard  voices  and  the 
quick  steps  of  men  hurrying  about  appa- 
rently in  a  confused  state.  But  I  ran  as 
rapidly  as  my  rain-soaked  habiliments  would 
permit,  and  in  the  course  of  twenty  minutes 
I  had  the  immense  satisfaction  of  reaching 
my  quarters,  and  briefly  relating  that  por- 
tion of  my  expedition  touching  my  exploit 
in  one  of  the  enemy's  rifle  pits. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

TITE   ASSAULT A   DESPERATE   UAND-TO-HAND 

COMBAT A   GRAND    DISCOVERY. 

The  fierce  and  bloody  assaults — the  dread 
sallies — the  hand-to-hand  fights  on  the  ram- 
parts and  in  the  ditch — the  heavy  cannon- 
ading from  iron-clads  and  mortar-boats,  and 
from  embrazurbs,  parapets  and  the  open 
field,  which  preceded  the  fall  and  capitula- 
tion of  the  rebel  stronghold  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, have  been  so  graphically  described  by 
generals  in  their  reports,  and  by  scores  of 


letter-writers,  I  shall  not  ventiire  to  describe 
them  here. 

Suffice  it  to  say  that  our  ever-eonquering 
hero,  with  his  able  commanders  and  his  in- 
domitable army,  here  achieved  the  greatest 
single  victory  of  the  war. 

But  I  have  one  incident  to  relate  of  that 
memorable  occasion,  which  is  intimately  con- 
nected with  the  thread  of  my  story,  and  will 
serve  to  elucidate  a  series  of  movements  and 
circumstances  connected  with  the  army  that, 
to  say  the  least,  seemed  to  us  unaccountable 
if  not  mysterious. 

Many  of  our  movements  seemed  so  averse, 
to  the  plainest  common  sense  in  the  progress 
of  the  reduction  of  Vieksburg,  that  several 
officers  of  intelligence  and  high  military  ca- 
pacity, had  questioned  the  strategic  ability 
of  the  general-in-chief,  while  others  actually 
denounced  him  as  crazy-headed,  fool-hardy, 
and  totally  ignorant  of  the  science  of  war. 
But  there  were  about  him  a  coterie  of  mili- 
tary gentlemen  who  seconded  his  every  sug- 
gestion, and  zealously  sought  to  execute  his 
every  order.  There  existed,  in  fact,  such  a 
mutual  confidence  and  exact  understanding 
between  these  officers  and  their  chief,  that 
open-mouthed  clamors  were  silenced  and  un-' 
worthy  suspicions  were  allayed,  until  the 
army,  as  a  unit,  had  full  belief  in  their  gen- 
eral, although  there  was  much  mystery  yet 
to  be  accounted  for. 

It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  second  of 
July,  that  the  mine  which  had  been  so  long 
preparing,  and  in  which  my  command  had 
taken  so  active  a  part,  was  sprung.  Its  ef- 
fect was  tremendous,  for  in  one  little  mo- 
ment an  entire  angle  of  Fort  Pemberton  was 
destroyed ;  and  althongh  the  enemy  had 
knowledge  of  our  mining  operations,  and 
had  in  a  degree  prepared  for  it,  yet  the  ex- 
plosion was  60  effectual  that  more  than  a 
hundred  of  the  defenders  of  the  fortress  were 
buried  beneath  the  debris  which  an  hundred 
casks  of  powder  had  thrown  up.  The  con- 
cussion was  almost  stunning,  and  fairly  shook 
the  earth  for  miles,  carrymg  terl-or  and  dis- 


34 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


may  to  eveiy  rebel  heart  within  the  walls  of 
the  beleaguered  city. 

A  storming  force,  consisting  of  an  entire 
brigade,  were  resting  upon  their  arms,  ready 
for  an  assault  the  moment  that  the  gfand 
effects  of  the  explosion  could  be  seen.  The 
reverberations  had  hardly  died  away  when 
the  order  was  given  to  forward  at  double- 
quick.  With  weapons  shotted  and  bayonets 
fixed,  we  rushed  across  the  plain  under  an 
ill-directed  fire  from  several  of  the  enemy's 
batteries. 

It  was  ordered  that  our  regiment  should 
take  the  post  of  honor  and  lead  the  brigade  ; 
and  as  my  command  was  on  the  right  of  the 
regiment,  of  course  we  were  in  the  advance ; 
and  as  the  field  officers  kept  their  appropri- 
ate places  in  the  attack,  I  was  the  first  offi- 
cer, and,  indeed,  the  first  man,  to  ascend 
the  ragged  pile  of  debris  made  by  the  ex- 
plosion, and  the  only  accessible  mode  of 
getting  into  the  fort. 

Of  course  this  point  was  the  one  of  all 
others  now  to  be  defended ;  and  if  in  the 
grand  confusion  which  seemed  to  prevail  we 
could  conquer  this  portion  of  the  garrison, 
the  fort  must  fall  into  our  hands. 

Never  shall  I  forget  the  storm  of  shot 
that  was  showered  upon  us,  within  pistol 
range,  as  we  commenced  the  fearful  ascent. 
Man  after  man  fell  by  my  side,  and  even  in 
my  rear  scores  of  brave  men  bit  the  dust. 
Yet  we  faltered  not,  but  poured  upon  our 
enemy  volley  after  volley,  still  advancing  as 
we  fired. 

It  seemed  as  if  my  entire  command  must 
soon  be  annihilated  before  their  spirited  fire, 
they  having  the  advantage  of  position,  being 
enabled  partly  to  conceal  themselves  behind 
the  incongruous  mass  of  stone,  mortar  and 
brick. 

As  yet  not  a  bullet  bad  touched  my  per- 
son, though  my  perforated  cap  ^nd  garments 
gave  frightful  evidence  of  the  proximity  of 
a  score  of  shot.  I  seemed  to  bear  a  charmed 
life  ;  yet  I  felt  that  I  must  fall  in  this  storm 
of  bullets  before  the  van  of  the  assaulting 


party  could  gain  the  inside  of  the  intrcnch- 
ments. 

Twice  we  were  pressed  back  or  down- 
ward, but  we  promptly  rallied,  the  broken 
ranks  filled  up,  and  we  pressed  upward 
again  with  almost  superhuman  energy,  al- 
though the  stones  were  slippery  with  the 
gore  of  our  unfortunate  comrades. 

The  defenders  of  that  pass  seemed  as 
reckless  and  desperate  in  their  defence  as 
we  in  the  assault.  Ilcre  "  Greek  met 
Greek,"  and  surely  the  "  tug  of  war  "  was 
never  more  sanguinarily  illustrated. 

The  parapet— or,  rather,  the  spot  where 
the  parapet  was  before  the  explosion — was 
at  length  reached  by  myself  and  a  half-score 
of  the  bravest  of  my  command.  In  some 
way  or  another  I  was  pushed  forward,  and 
found  myself  almost  surrounded  by  a  squad 
of  rebels,  whose  bloody  hands  and  bai-ed  ai-ms 
and  faces  besmeared  and  begrimmed  with 
burnt  powder,  made  them  look  like  so  many 
demons  ready  to  make  sacrifice  of  me. 

I  was  almost  exhausted,  but  my  dcsperato 
situation  at  that  moment  actually  gave  me 
strength  and  nerved  my  arm,  so  that  at  least 
I  might  sell  my  life  dearly.  With  my  got)d 
sword  I  kept  them  at  bay  for  some  time, 
when  a  stalwart  officer  singled  me  out,  and 
with  his  heavy  sword  wrested  mine  from 
my  grasp. 

It  was  an  easy  victory  for  him  now  to 
run  me  through  or  split  my  head  with  his 
gory  blade ;  and  as  he  raised  it  for  the  latter 
purpose,  a  young  soldier,  seemingly  of  his 
own  party,  struck  his  arm  so  severe  a  blow 
that  it  dropped  by  his  side. 

"  Traitor  I  "  he  cried.  "  Slay  the  traitor  ! 
He  is  but  a  ti-aitor  in  our  ranks  !  " 

His  order  was  about  being  obeyed  by  one 
of  his  men,  when  a  ball  from  the  rifle  of 
Longrange,  who  had  opportunely  pressed 
forward  to  the  front,  penetrated  his  skull, 
and  he  fell  a  lifeless  corpse. 

Another  seized  the  youth,  and  he  was 
dragged  to  the  earth 

I  had  regained  my  sword  again,  and  now 


SPY  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY. 


35 


detoriained  to  save  the  unknown  preserver 
of  my  life,  if  he  were  not  already  dead  ;  and 
for  some  moments  a  fierce  contest  ensued 
over  his  prostrate  form. ,  I  believe  the  ferocity 
of  the  tiger  entered  my  breast,  for  I  cut 
and  slashed  with  a  vigor  far  beyond  my  nat- 
ural sti'ength.  Several  of  the  company  came 
to  my  rescue,  and  we  drove  the  wreiches 
back. 

Meanwhile  the  whole  brigade  had  clam- 
bered into  the  stronghold,  and  it  was  car- 
ried— the  rebels  throwing  down  their  arms, 
uttering  hellish  oaths  and  groans  of  despair, 
while  fix>m  our  side  the  well-known  shouts 
of  victory  fairly  rent  the  air.  Fort  Pember- 
ton  was  ours — the  rebel  flag  was  trailed  in 
the  dust,  and  the  colors  of  our  regiment  were 
displayed  upon  the  parapet. 

I  stepped  back  to  where  I  had  left  the 
prostrate  youth.  He  had  raised  himself  to 
a  sitting  posture. 

"Are  you  wounded?"  said  I,  almost 
gasping  for  breath, — for  now  I  began  to  feel 
a  dizziness  in  my  head,  and  an  almost  pros- 
tration of  all  my  faculties. 

"  No,  Captain  Manly,  I  am  quite  well," 
was  his  reply. 

His  voice  startled  me.  I  looked  in  his 
face,  but  it  was  so  begrimmed  with  blood 
and  dirt  that  I  failed  to  recognize  him, 

"In  heaven's  name  who  are  you?"  I 
demanded,  as  I  attempted  with  a  handker- 
chief to  remove  the  stains  of  gore  ana  dut 
firom  his  face. 

"Don't  you  know  me?"  he  said  in  a 
whisper.  "  I  am  Virginia  Graham  !  but  do 
not  betray  ray  sex  here." 

I  could  make  no  reply,  but  I  felt  a  joy 
that  I  shall  never  forget.  It  was  but  for  a 
moment,  for  my  energies  now  gave  way.  and 
I  swooned  at  her  feet. 

^Vhen  I  awoke  to  consciousness  I  found 
myself  lying  upon  a  comfortable  camp  bed- 
stead in  the  former  quarters  of  the  rebel 
commander  of  the  fortress,  who  was  now  a 
prisoner. 

She  who  had  saved  my  life — still  in  the 


garb  of  a  rebel  soldier — was  seated  beside 
me.  Before  uttering  a  word,  I  scanned  the 
apartment  and  saw  that  we  were  not  quite 
alone ;  for  seated  at  a  table  covered  with 
maps  and  stationery,  was  a  man  in  the  uni- 
form of  a  Federal  general,  and  as  his  back 
was  towards  me,  I  failed  to  recognize  him. 

At  this  moment  the  beautiful  eyes  of  the 
heroine  met  mine.  Her  sweet  lineaments 
were  no  longer  masked  beneath  the  condens- 
ed smoke  of  powder,  blood  and  dirt,  but 
they  were  fair  and  clear  as  I  had  seen  them 
when  she  was  an  invalid  in  my  own  qua^ 
ters. 

"You  are  better,"  she  said  in  her  own 
sweet  voice ;  "  and  the  doctor  who  left  but 
a  few  moments  since,  says  you  are  not 
wounded." 

"Yes — yes,"  I  answered,  "I  believe  it 
was  but  a  fainting  fit.  But  no  one  can  say 
I  was  a  coward." 

' '  The  man  who  dares  say  it  shall  eat  his 
words,"  said  the  officer,  giving  a  vindictive 
blow  of  his  fist  upon  the  table,  and  at  the 
saihe  time  reversing  his  position  so  that  his 
eagle-like  gaze  met  mine.  "  No,  captain, 
no  one  will  charge  you  with  cowardice,  either 
in  thought  or  action." 

"  'Tis  General  Grant,  Captain  Manly," 
said  Virginia. 

He  arose  from  his  seat,  came  to  the  side 
of  my  couch,  took  my  hand  and  resumed : 

"  We  have  met  before  on  several  occa- 
sions, and  the  last  was  that  night  of  the 
drenching  storm.  You  would  have  made  a 
less  adventui-ous  journey  had  you  accepted 
the  escort  I  offered  you." 

"  It  was  so  dark  I  wandered  from  the  true 
direction,"  I  said. 

"  And  stumbled  into  a  rifle  pit  of  the  en- 
emy," he  added,  with  a  chuckhng  laugh< 

"  Then  you  have  been  a  prisoner?  "  ejao- 
ulated  Virginia,  slightly  staitled.  ^ 

"0,  no,"  continued  the  general,  "not 
exactly  a  prisoner.  The  story,  as  I  have 
heard  it,  runs  thus : — He  had  been  to  my 
quarters  bearing  a  certain  despatch  wbidi 


86 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


somewhat  mysteriously  came  into  his  hands 
through  a  harmless  hand  grenade  It  was 
on  a  very  dark  night,  and  on  his  return  a 
fearful  storm  arose,  which  so  bewildered  him 
that  he  went  out  of  his  way,  and  actually 
fell  into  one  of  the  enemy's  rifle  pits,  in 
which  there  lay  two  shai-jjshooters  asleep. 
The  noise,  as  may  well  be  supposed,  aroused 
them  ;  but  the  cajDtain,  finding  himself  well 
imbedded  in  clay  and  water,  concluded  that 
tjie  wisest  thing  to  be  done  was  to  remain 
therein  until  the  pitmen  should  again  re- 
sume their  naps.  As  he  judged,  a  long  half 
hour  was  required  to  produce  that  result, 
when  the  captain,  very  incautiously,  I  think, 
undertook  to  seize,  and  did  seize,  a  rifle 
which  was  lying  upon  the  arm  of  one  of  the 
sleepers.  This  of  course  aroused  the  pitman, 
and  a  fight  ensued,  which  awoke  the  other, 
and  as  there  was  no  other  alternative  than  to 
kill  or  be  killed,  the  captain  believed  the 
former  to  be  the  wisest  course  ;  so  he  killed 
them  both,  and  bore  off  the  coveted  rifle  as 
an  evidence  of  his  prowess.  Do  I  relate  the 
incident  correctly  ?  "  asked  the  general. 

"  As  near  as  I  can  recollect,"  was  my 
reply. 

"  Well,  there  was  no  evidence  of  coward- 
ice in  that,  at  all  events,"  he  said,  smiling. 

"But  there  was  extreme  danger  in  it," 
said  Virginia,  almost  shuddering  as  she 
spoke.  "  You  certainly  stood  at  least  a 
double  chance  of  losing  your  own  life ;  and 
though  the  result  was  favorable  to  you,  and 
might  be  called  heroic,  yet  it  was  by  no 
means  discreet.  But  I  had  quite  forgotten 
my  duty  in  listening  to  this  adventui-e  of 
youi's.  The  surgeon  bade  me  give  you  this 
drink  as  soon  as  you  awoke." 

As  she  spoke  she  arose,  and  taking  from 
a  shelf  a  cup,  bade  me  drink  from  it,  after 
assisting  me  to  arise  to  a  sitting  posture,  for 
I  was  still  weak  from  the  extraordinary  ef- 
forts I  had  made  in  the  assault  upon  the 
fort.  The  draught  produced,  almost  as  soon 
aa  I  had  drank  it,  an  invigorating  effect,  and 


with  the  aid  of  a  little  bolstering,  I  was  en- 
abled to  sit  upright. 

"How  long  have  I  been  sleeping?"  I 
asked. 

"Four  hours,"  she  replied.  "The  fort 
came  into  our  pos.scssion  at  eleven  o'clock. 
You  became  unconscious  inmiediately  after- 
wards, an^l,  in  fact,  seemed  like  one  dead 
until  nearly  four  o'clock,  when  you  seemed 
to  recover,  and  then  fell  into  a  profound 
slumber. ' ' 

"And  have  you  been  with  me  all  this 
tune?"  , 

"  With  the  exception  of  an  hour  and  a 
half.  My  place  was  then  supplied  by  little 
Hariy  Robeson,  who,  I  am  rejoiced  to  know, 
passed  through  •  the  siege  in  safety ;  and  I 
have  to  thank  you  for  the  kind  cai'c  which 
he  informs  me  you  have  bestowed  upon  him. " 

"  Thanks  are  not  merited  where  there  has 
been  a  mutual  good  feehng,  and  where  only 
kindnesses  are  reciprocated.  The  drummer- 
boy  has  done  me  so  many  favors  that  I  am 
truly  his  debtor." 

"  Pemberton  will  offer  terms  of  capitula- 
tion to-morrow,"  said  the  general,  as  he  re- 
covered from  a  seeming  reverie.  "  He  has 
no  dependence  now  for  defence  except  his 
naked  walls.  Yes,  it  must  be  so.  By  the 
by,  captain,  did  I  not  make  certain  promises 
to  you  the  last  time  we  met?  " 

"If  you  did  you  are  certainly  kind  to 
treasure  them  so  long  in  your  memory,  con- 
sidering the  thousand  and  one  things  you 
must  necessarily  carry  in  your  mind." 

"If  my  memory  is  not  treacherous  I 
promised  that  when  twenty  days  should  have 
elapsed,  the  person  to  whom  you  seem  so 
much  attached  should  be  within  our  lines. 
Have  I  kept  my  promise  ?  "  he  asked,  glanc- 
ing at  Virginia  significantly. 

"  Yes,  general,  this  is  the  nineteenth  day 
since  I  visited  your  quarters." 

"  I  also  told  you  that  the  fall  of  Vicks- 
burg  would  be  consummated  a  month  earlier 
than  it  would  otherwise  have  fallen  had  not 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


37 


those  lucky  despatches  come  promptly  to 
hand?" 

"I  remember  it  well,  general." 

"  And  I  promised  you  that  we  should 
celebrate  our  next  national  independence 
under  the  old  flag,  within  the  walls  of  Vicks- 
barg?" 

"  Yes,  general." 

"And,  finally;  I  promised  that  when 
Vicksbarg  was  once  ours  you  should  have 
those  leaves  on  your  shoulder  exchanged  for 
an  eagle." 

"  You  were  pleased  to  say  so,  general, 
but  how  excellent  is  your  memory,"  I  re- 
marked. 

"  And  I'll  keep  my  word,  or  these  stars 
shall  bo  snatched  from  these  brawny  shoul- 
ders— mark  that !  As  I  before  said,  terms  of 
copitulation  will  come  to-morrow.  The  sun 
will  not.  be  more  sure  to  rise.  And  now 
one  thing  more  before  I  go,  and  deal  with 
me  frankly.  I  would  know,  since  I  have 
taken  a  deep  interest  in  you  both,  why  it  is 
that  you  seem  so  devoted  to  each  other; 
why  it  is,  captain,  you  have  evinced  so  pro- 
found a  solicitude  and  anxiety  in  regard  to 
this  young  lady  ;  and  why  it  is  that  she  in 
her  letters  has  been  so  prodigal  in  her  en- 
quiries concerning  you.  If  you  were  man 
and  wife  I  could  well  understand  it ;  if  you 
were  brother  and  sister,  or  even  cousins,  it 
would  not  be  mysterious,  nor  would  it  excite 
even  curiosity ;  and  as  you  cannot  be  lovers 
— for,  captain,  you  have  declared  unbound- 
ed affection  for  your  wife ;  and  as  you,  Jliss 
Graham,  have,  frankly  stated  that  you  are 
the  be'^^rothed  of  a  man  you  love  and  honor 
— how  i:3  it,  and  what  is  it,  that  has  so  at- 
tached you  to  each  other?" 

The  general  looked  to  me  for  a  reply,  and 
I  looked  toward  Virginia  for  an  explanation. 
She  finally  said,  with  downcast  eyes  and 
tremulous  lips : 

"  He  was  so  kind  to  little  HaiTy  Robeson 
when  ho  wa&  wounded  ;  and  he  was  also 
kind  and  considerate  towards  me  when — 
when  my  sex  was  discovered." 


"Can  this  be  all  ?  "  resumed  the  general; 
"  and  who  is  this  Harry  Robeson  ?  " 

"  Since  you  put  the  question  direct,  I 
will  answer;  he  is  my  half-brother." 

"This  is,  indeed,  news  to  me;  although 
I  felt  sure  that  he  must  be  a  near  and  dear 
relative,"  said  I. 

"  What  possible  harm  could  there  have 
been  in  acknowledging  thus  muijh  in  the 
outset?  "  enquired  the  commander. 

"  Since  I  have  confessed  so  much,  I  will 
frankly  tell  you,  but  in  strict  confidence, 
that  my  name  is  not  Virginia  Graham  ;  but 
Ijeai'ing  another  which,  for  prudential  mo- 
tives I  cannot  reveal,"  I  must  rely  upon  your 
generosity  not  at  present  to  seek  to  know  it." 

"  We  may  then  reasonably  infer  that  your 
name  is  Robeson,"  said  the  general. 

"It  is  not  Robeson,  although  my  half- 
brother  beai's  it.  Had  I  assumed  his  name, 
through  that  name  I  might  have,  long  ere 
this,  been  discovered." 

"  I  now  understand,"  said  the  general, 
"  and  for  the  present  will  be  satisfied  with 
what  I  know ;  but  there  is  still  a  mystery 
underlying  all  which  I  am  sure  will  be  de- 
veloped at  no  very  distant  day." 

"  I  know  of  none  replied  Virginia,  "  ex- 
cept that  which  lies  in  the  fact  that,  for  rea- 
sons best  known  to  myself,  I  wish  to  remain 
unknown  in  the  army,  and  also  to  remain 
undiscovered  by  friends  who,  I  doubt  not, 
have  made  some  exertion  to  ascertain  my 
whereabouts." 

"  Well,  well,  the  captain  and  I  must  bide 
ovu*  time  for  a  true  revelation,  if,  indeed  he 
is  not  possessed  of  it  already,"  remarked 
the  general,  rising  and  consulting  his  watch. 

"  I  certainly  am  no  better  enlightened 
than  yourself,  general,"  said  I,  with  sin- 
cerity. 

"  It  is  time  for  your  half-brother  to  return 
with  Aunt  Clemmy,"  said  the  commander, 
addressing  Virginia.  "  I  promised  she 
should  join  you  on  the  day  we  should  meet, 
and  be  assured  she  will  be  here.  I  musfe 
now  hasten  to  my  quarters,  for  to-morrow 


38 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


promises  to  be  an  eventful,  and,  I  hope,  a 
happy  day  to  ns  all.  Good  night.  Captain 
Manly.  Good  night,  Virginia.  As  you 
have  requested  it,  you  may  again  adopt  the 
Vivandicre  costume  and  rejoin  your  regi- 
ment." 

IMy  heart  leaped  for  joy  when  I  heard 
these  last  words  of  our  hero.  With  me  I 
fclc  she  would  he  safe.  How  dangerous  al- 
ways seemed  the  maiden's  position,  even 
withio  our  lines,  when  she  was  not  at  my 
quarters ;  and  I  ventured  to  express  as  much 
to  Virginia  as  soon  as  our  gallant  comman- 
der had  left  the  comfortahle  quarters  which 
he  had  assigned  me.  I  also  ventured  to  ask 
her  to  relate  all  that  had  occurred  to  her 
during  her  long  absence. 

She  replied  that  it  was  a  long  story,  and 
in  my  present  state  of  health  would  only 
fittigue  me ;  but  promised,  at  some  future 
time,  to  fully  enlighten  me.  I  did  not  press 
tlie  matter,  for  I  felt  sure  that  she  had  been 
in  almost  constant  peril  ever  since  the  day 
ghe  left  our  camp.  How  could  it  have  been 
otherwise  ?  Had  she  not  acted  the  part  of 
a  Spy  ? — the  most  dangerous  of  all  charac- 
ters— and  had  she  not  sojourned  constantly 
within  the  enemy's  lines,  and  in  their  camps 
and  forts  ?  Of  this  one  great,  almost  ap- 
palling fact,  there  could  be  no  doubt,  and 
the  reflection  greatly  disturbed  me. 

In  a  few  minutes  after  the  general  had 
retired,  Harry  Robeson,  accompanied  by 
Aunt  Clemmy,  arrived. 

"  Gorra  bresse,  Missee  'Ginia,  how  dis 
olo  heart  goes  pit-arpat  to  see  yer  'gin  wid 
dose  ole  eyes  !  "  was  the  faithful  ncgress's 
exclamation  as  she  embrace"d  her  mistress, 
in  spite  of  the  jacket  and  trousers  that  Vir- 
ginia still  wore.  "  I'se  drefful  glad  you 
turn  up.  Oh  !  dis  war  !  it  duz  make  sich 
mischief;  but  I  guess  de  niggas  won't  hab 
dc  wuss  of  it.*' 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

LA    VITANDIERE     RELATES   HER   ADVENTURES 
WITUIN    TUE    CONFEDERATE    LINES. 

My  military  family  now  consisted,  as  bo- 
fore,  of  the  Vivandiere,  Harry  Robeson  and 
Aunt  Clemmy. 

On  the  morning  following  our  re-union, 
the  surgeon  of  my  regiment  called,  and  as- 
sured me  that  I  had  received  no  apparent 
physical  injury  ;  that  I  had  been  laid  pros- 
trate by  fatigue  ;  and  only  enjoined  upon 
me  to  keep  quiet  for  a  few  days. 

I  observed  that  a  gleam  of  joy  illumined 
the  bright  face  of  Virginia  upon  hearing 
those  words ;  it  was  more  than  an  ordinary 
expression  of  gladness  coming  from  a  sym- 
pathetic heart — a  heart  that  beat  in  unison 
with  mine. 

How  strange  all  this  seemed  when  both 
of  us  well  knew  that  no  nearer  relation  than 
friendship  could  exist  between  us.  I  had 
confessed  to  her  the  ardent  love  I  cherished 
for  my  beloved  at  home ;  and  she  had  as 
frankly  confessed  to  me  that  her  heart  long 
since  had  been  given  to  one  who  was  deserv- 
ing of  its  warmest,  its  most  fervent  devotion. 
Who  that  one  was  I  had  never  dared  to  ask  ; 
yet  how  earnest  was  my  hope  that  he  was 
worthy  of  such  a  treasure. 

"  You  heard  the  surgeon's  cheering  words, 
and  you  must  perceive  that  I  am  now  quite 
well,"  I  remarked,  as  soon  as  the  profes- 
sional gentleman  had  departed. 

"  Yet  he  said  you  needed  a  few  days' 
rest,"  she  replied. 

"  True;  but  that  will  not  surely  prevent 
me  from  listening  to  a  narrative  of  your  ad- 
ventures," said  I,  burning  with  curiosity  to 
know  what  had  transpired  personally  to  her 
during  our  separation. 

"It  is  by  no  means  interesting,  besides  it 
may  fatigue  you.  You  need  quietness  of 
mind  as  well  as  body." 

"  My  desire  to  know  will  disturb  the  form- 
er more  than  any  recital  of  yours  can  possi- 
bly do." 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


39 


"  Since  you  are  so  urgent,  captain,  I  will 
commence  my  story,  with  the  understanding 
that  I  may  break  off  when  and  where  I 
please,"  replied  Virginia,  seating  herself 
near  the  comfortable' lounge  on  which  I  was 
half-reclining,  and  after  a  thoughtful  lapoc 
of  a  few  moments  she  begun  thus  : 

tirginia's  narrative. 

"  The  circumstances  which  led  to  my  so- 
liciting a  position  fraught  with  peril,  I  need 
not  describe.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  com- 
manding general  needed  a  Spy ;  he  believed 
you  a  proper  man  to  brave  the  dangers  of 
Buch  a  character ;  and  I  believed  it  too,  but 
was  determined,  if  possible,  to  prevent  you 
from  accepting  such  a  trust,  not  only  for 
your  sake  but  for  that  of  Harry  Robeson  ; 
and  after  a  night  of  thought  and  dreams  I 
resolved  to  place  myself  at  the  disposal  of 
the  general.  Something  whispered  in  my 
heart  that  I  of  all  others  was  the  safest  and 
most  proper  person  of  the  entire  army  to 
personate  the  adventurous  character, — ay, 
that  I  was  ordained  by  a  higher  power  than 
mortal  man  can  possess,  to  be  an  instrument 
of  communication  between  the  enemy  and 
oui-  great  chief.  I  sought  an  interview  with 
him ;  briefly  stated  an  outline  of  my  plan 
to  prevent  discovery,  which  seemed  to  strike 
him  as  ingenious  and  judicious,  yet  he  was 
extremely  reluctant  to  grant  my  request; 
bat  finding  me  persistent  he  yielded,  and 
promised  me  every  possible  facility  for  my 
great  undertaking.  He  was  also  pleased  to 
say,  after  a  lengthy  conversation,  that  I  ap- 
peared to  possess  intelligence,  shrewdness, 
cunning,  and  above  all,  discretion — traits 
absolutely  indispensable  for  a  succesoful  spy. 
He  plied  me  with  m^ny  questions  touching 
my  health,  power  of  endurance,  and  what 
course  I  should  pursue  in  certain  emergent 
cases.  My  replies  must  have  been  apt,  for 
they  appeared  to  meet  his  hearty  approval. 
The  truth  is,  I  seemed  intjaitively  to  possess 
the  power  to  frame  all  my  answers  to  meet 
bis  ripe  judgment. 


*  Can  you  ride  well?'  he  asked. 

'  Yes,  general,  I  can  manage  the  most 
high-spirited  and  fleetest  steed  belonging  to 
yourself  or  staff, '  was  my  confident  reply. 

'  Are  you  fleet  of  foot?' 

'  I  have  run  a  mile  with  my  regiment  at 
double-quick.' 

'  Should  you  not  fear  to  bivouac  in  the 
woods  alone '( ' 

*  With  these  goodly  weapons  in  my  belt 
I  could  fear  nothing,'  I  answered,  pomting 
to  my  revolvers. 

'  Yes,  yes,  I  think  I  have  heai-d  some- 
thing laudatory  of  your  skill  with  both  pis- 
tol and  rifle ;  but  how  would  you  succeed 
in  crossing  the  many  creeks  and  rivers  that 
lie  on  the  route  that  will  be  marked  out  for 
you  ;  for,  remember,  you  will  find  most  of 
the  bridges  destroyed  ?  ' 

*  Those  I  cannot  ford  I  can  swim.' 
'  Can  you  climb  a  tree  ?  ' 

'  With  ease,  if  the  bark  be  not  too  smooth 
and  the  branches  too  high.' 

'  Enough.  I  am  satisfied  that  you  will 
be  equal  to  any  probable  difiiculty  that  you 
may  encounter.  In  two  hours  be  in  readi- 
ness.    Report  at  headquarters.' 

This  order  I  obeyed  at  the  precise  mo- 
ment. A  fine  looking  steed,  saddled  and 
bridled,  with  pisiols  in  the  holsters,  waa 
pawing  the  earth  before  the  general's  head- 
quarters, as  if  impatient  to  bear  off  his  rider. 

At  a  short  distance  stood  a  detachment 
of  cavalry — ten  in  all — which  I  understood 
was  to  be  my  escort.  The  general  met  me 
at  the  threshold. 

'  All  i.'?  ready  for  your  immediate  depar- 
ture,' said  he.  '  I  have  drawn  up  more 
specific  instnictions  than  I  have  before  given 
you,  which  you  will  not  peruse  or  explore 
until  you  have  safely  passed  into  the  ene- 
my's lines.  Here  is  also  contained  a  cipher 
which  you  will  use  in  addressing  me,  and  a 
key  to  the  language  which  I  shall  use  in 
addressing  you.  Be  wary,  be  brave,  be 
discreet,  and  may  a  watchful  Providence  be 
thy  shield  in  the  houi*  of  danger.  Farewell* 


40 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


As  he  pressed  my  hand  I  looked  into  his 
war-worn  features.  Tears  were  glistening 
in  them,  and  also  upon  his  chocks.  He 
turned  from  me  after  indicating  that  the  cav- 
alry officer  who  stood  in  front  of  the  marquee 
had  charge  of  my  escort. 

Thus  did  I  take  leave  of  our  heroic  com- 
mander. In  another  moment  I  was  in  the 
saddle  and  in  the  centre  of  my  escort,  mov- 
ing off  at  an  eight  mile  gait  to  the  south- 
ward. After  a  brisk  ride  of  half  an  hour 
we  drew  up  at  a  wayside  inn,  and  the  man- 
ner in  which  we  were  received  by  the  land- 
lord assured  me  that  he  was  a  unionist. 

I  dismounted  and  was  ushered  into  a  room 
by  a  lady  who  presently  placed  before  me 
a  handsome  silk  skirt,  a  riding  habit  and  a 
hat.  I  remembered  that  in  my  instructions 
a  change  of  dress  would  be  provided  for 
me,  and  I  was  metamorphosed  from  a  Viv- 
andiere  into  a  fine  equestrienne. 

The  lady,  who  assisted  me,  assured  me 
that  my  new  habiliments,  to  her  taste,  very 
much  improved  my  appearance ;  and  she 
took  occasion  to  remark  that  as  I  was  going 
into  the  land  of  rebcklom,  she  hoped  that  I 
would  not,  as  other  ladies  had  done,  abuse 
the  unionists  as  soon  as  I  was  among  my 
own  jjeople. 

From  this  remark  I  inferred  that  she  be- 
lieved me  a  little  rebel,  notwithstanding  I 
had  appeared  in  '  retl,  white  and  blue.' 

I  sought  not  to  undeceive  her,  but  thank- 
ed her  for  her  kindness,  and  after  partaking 
of  some  refreshment  fshe  retired  from  the 
room. 

I  here  took  occasion  to  conceal  in  the  lin- 
ing of  my  skirt,  the  document  which  was 
only  to  be  perused  after  reaching  the  place 
to  which  I  was  destined.  I  sewed  up  the 
rent  made  for  this  purpose  before  it  was  an- 
nounced that  my  escort  was  in  readiness  for 
my  immediate  departure. 

Bidding  adieu  to  the  lady  who  had  given 
me  a  word  of  caution,  I  took  my  place  in 
the  line  as  before,  and  we  proceeded  onward 
at  a  brisk  pace.     A  white  flag  was  borne  in 


the  van  of  the  escort,  which  bespoke  our 
proximity  to  the  frontier  of  rebeldom. 

We  had  not  proceeded  more  than  three 
miles  when  the  troop  halted  ;  and  a  few  shrill 
trumpet  tones  caused  to  appear  from  the 
skirt  of  a  wood  several  soldiers  in  a  grey 
uniform.  They  were  a  detachment  of  the 
outer  picket  guard,  and  in  a  few  moments 
an  officer  rejoined  them,  with  a  subordinate 
bearing  the  symbol  of  peace. 

The  accustomed  signal  passed  between 
the  two  parties,  when,  simultaneously,  from 
each,  advanced  the  two  flag  bearers  with  an 
officer  and  two  soldiers  accompanying  each. 
They  met  in  the  middle  of  the  plain  wi^h  an 
apparently  friendly  greeting,  and  after  a  few 
moments  our  detachment  returned,  when  I 
was  informed  that  it  was  agreed  that  I 
should  have  permission  to  enter  the  rebel 
lines,  where  an  escorf  would  be  provided  to 
accompany  me  to  the  town  of  Calhoun,  Mis- 
sippi,  where  I  could  take  the  cars  for  Jack- 
son, the  Capital  of  the  State.  I  dismount- 
ed and  bade  the  officer  adieu. 

The  transfer  was  made  without  further 
ceremony,  and  I  found  myself  for  the  first 
time  actually  under  the  protection  of  the 
rebels. 

You  may  be  assured  that  my  feelings  were 
anything  but  agreeable  in  this  change  of  my 
situation,  though  there  was  nothing  like  fear 
commingled  with  them 

I  was  received  with  some  show  of  cour- 
tesy at  the  quarters  of  an  officer  in  a  hand- 
some uniform,  and  of  gallant  bearing,  and 
although  not  more  than  twenty  years  of  ago 
he  wore  the  bado'e  of  a  lieutenant-colonel  on 
his  shoulder. 

He  immediately  acquainted  me  with  the 
information,  which  I  did  not  know  before, 
that  within  twenty-four  hours  I  should  prob- 
ably reach  my  home,  though  I  could  not 
precisely  see  how  such  a  thing  could  come 
to  pass,  for  I  had  thus  fur  travelled  in  a 
contrary  direction,  from  that  haven,  and, 
moreover,  it  nowhere  existed  within  the 
realm  of  Seeessia.     He  also  said  that  he 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


41 


ehould  provide  me  with  a  safe  escort  to  the 
railway  station,  when  I  should  require  no 
farther  protection. 

I  thanked  him  for  his  proffered  kindness, 
and  I  am  quite  sure  that  nothing  akin  to 
surprise  was  expressed  in  my  countenance. 
I  could  not  but  observe  that  he  scrutinized 
my  features  more  closely  than  was  agreeable, 
though  I  was  not  aware  what  it  was  that 
prompted  him,  until  he  commenced  a  train 
of  remarks  which  savored  more  of  flattery 
than  wisdom,  and  more  of  affection  than 
friendship.  His  language  at  leagth  became 
so  ardent  that  I  was  compelled  to  say  to 
him: 

'  Sh,  you  forget  that  we  were  but  now 
utter  strangers.  Wlio  and  what  you  are  I 
do  not  know.  Who  and  what  I  am  you  are 
equally  ignorant  of.  Therefore  I  beg  that 
■you  will  desist  from  addressing  me  in  lan- 
guage more  becoming  a  sister  than  a  stran- 
ger.' 

'  Lady, '  said  he,  in  the  most  respectful 
manner,  '  pardon  my  presumption.  I  will 
be  more  discreet.  In  the  first  place  let  me 
inform  you  that  T  am  a  Lieutenant  Colonel 
in  the  army  of  the  Confederacy.  My  name 
is  Frederick  Lamar,  the  son  of  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  officials  of  the  Confed- 
erate Government,  and  the  proprietor  of  the 
largest  plantation  in  Northern  Georgia,  and 
the  owflcr  of  nineteen  hundred  ni<>;o;ers. 
Thus  you  will  perceive  I  am  a  gentleman 
and  no  beggar.  As  for  yourself,  lady,  this 
letter  informs  me  who  you  are.  Your  name 
is  Marietta  Marland  ;  you  are  the  daughter 
of  the  late  Brandon  Marland ;  and  though 
your  father  died  without  a  large  fortune,  he 
left  a  name  behind  liim  to  be  honored  ;  and, 
besides,  he  left  a  daughter  whose  marvellous 
beauty,  in  my  eyes,  far  exceeds  that  of  any 
lady  I  ever  beheld,  and  she  now  sits  before 
me.  Inasmuch  as  I  have  been  so  frank,  I 
beg  you  will  not  consider  us  strangers  any 
longer ;  and  as  but  a  few  brief  moments  is 
left  me  for  an  opportunity  to  express  that 


love  which  you  have  kindled  in  my  heart, 
oh,  pardon  me,  if  I  improve  th3m.' 

I  would  have  checked  my  new  suitor  in 
his  speech,  for  his  fulsome  flattery  really 
disgusted  me,  but  I  deemed  it  prudent  under 
the  circiunstances  to  listen  to  his  ridiculous 
protestations,  knowing  that  I  should  soon  be 
beyond  the  hearing  of  his  intemperate 
tongue. 

He  had,  as  it  seemed,  fallen  deeply  in 
love  with  some  fancied  charms  of  mine  at 
first  sight,  and  the  short  time  he  would  be 
in  my  company  was  his  apology  for  his  rash 
and  hasty  warmth  in  declaring  it. 

I  deemed  it  poUtic  neither  to  encourage 
or  discourage  him,  for  it  was  possible  emer- 
jjencies  might  rise  when  a  friend  like  Lieu- 
tenant  Colonel  Lamar  might  be  of  service  to 
me.  I  therefore  kept  quite  silent,  as  well 
as  abashed,  and  so  long  as  his  familiarity 
was  confined  to  his  tongue  I  bore  it  with  due 
patience. 

At  length  we  were  interrupted  by  the 
entrance  of  a  subordinate  who  informed  the 
colonel  that  the  escort  was  in  waiting. 

As  his  orders  were  peremptory  in  facili- 
tating my  journey,  he  had  but  time  to  gain 
(rora  me  a  promise  that  I  would  receive  a 
call  from  him  whenever  his  good  fortune 
should  carry  him  to  the  capital  of  the  State. 

AVith  all  the  politeness  he  was  probably 
master  of,  he  led  me  forth  to  the  escort,  and 
after  looking  at  the  hoi'se  which  was  to  bear 
me,  and  carefully  scrutinizing  the  saddle, 
girths  and  bridle,  he  assisted  me  to  mount, 
when  we  immediately  set  off  through  a  mule 
path  of  the  wood  in  which  the  pickets  were 
posted. 

I  assure  you  that  it  created  in  -me  no 
surprise  that  my  name  loas  Mtmetta  Mar- 
land, for  I  had  been  addressed  as  Miss 
Marland  from  the  time  my  previous  escort 
had  halted  at  the  inn,  as  it  appeared  for  my 
special  commendation ;  and  moreover,  as  I 
left  it,  I  saw  some  articles  of  luggage  bear- 
ing the  name  of  '  Marietta  Marland  '  which 
had  been  brought  forward  by  the   federal 


42 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


escort  on  the  baxjk  of  a  mule,  and  which  had 
been  transferred  with  myself.  Neither  was  I 
surprised  ou  hearing  that  I  was  the  daughter 
of  the  late  lion.  Brandon  Marland  ;  or  that 
my  home  was  in  the  suburbs  of  Jackson, 
Mississippi ;  for  I  had  been  warned  not  to  be 
surprised  at  anything  which  might  be  devel- 
oped with  regard  to  me  on  the  journey,  or 
when  I  had  ^nally  reached  its  termination. 

The  officer  of  the  present  escort  had  made 
himself  as  agreeable  as  possible.  He  was 
an  older  and  a  more  prudent  man.  Yet  he 
was  exceedingly  communicative,  and  I 
adroitly  drew  from  him  a  vast  deal  of  infor- 
mation touching  the  movements  of  the  sev- 
eral armies  of  the  Confederacy, — their  plans, 
their  hopes  and  their  prospects, — which 
would  nbver  have  been  conveyed  by  an 
adherent  of  the  insurgent  cause  to  one  whom 
he  entertained  the  slightest  surpicion  was 
tainted  with  loyalty  to  the  Union. 

Nothing  worthy  of  note  transpired  on  the 
journey.  Suffice  it  that  it  was  a  tedious 
one,  and  req^uired  neai'ly  the  whole  of  two 
days  before  we  reached  the  railway  station, 
when  I  was  placed  in  the  charge  of  the  con- 
ductor of  a  train,  and  in  an  hour  or  two 
reached  Jackson.  The  conductor  procured 
me  a  carriage,  and  directed  the  hackman 
to  drive  me  to  '  Magnolia  Villa.' 

To  speak  the  truth  this  was  the  first  time 
I  had  ever  heard  of  '  Magnolia  Villa, '  and 
I  assure  you  I  experienced  some  strange, 
indescribable  sensations,  during  my  ride 
thither,  which  occupied  some  twenty-five  or 
thirty  minutes. 

But  as  I  was  yet  to  remain  passive,  and 
believing  that  the  same  power  which  had 
guided  me  thus  far  safely  on  my  pilgrimage 
would  not  desert  me  now,  I  kept  up  a  pro- 
per degree  of  courage,  and  awaited  subse- 
quent events  with  all  due  philosophy. 

It  was  the  beginning  of  the  twilight  hour 
of  a  beautiful  evening,  when  the  carriage, 
which  bore  me,  turned  up  a  winding  avenue 
shaded  by  magnolia  trees,  and  bordered  with 
a  prolific  box-hedge. 


At  length  a  smooth  lawn,  dotted  with 
parterres  of  flowers  was  just  visible  from  the 
carriage  window,  and  in  a  few  iiioinents  a 
hand.some  but  somewhat  anti(|ue  looking 
villa,  with  wide  verandahs,  and,  almost 
concealed  by  vines,  suddenly  appeared  to 
my  searching  view. 

The  can-iage  halted — the  door  was  opened 
by  an  aged  negro,  and  I  alighted,  and  was 
greeted  by  shouts  and  cheers  by  a  group  of 
negroes,  who  had  hied  to  the  spot  on  hearing 
the  approach  of  a  carriage. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

TUE    WELCOME   TO    MAGNOLIA    VILLA VISIT 

FBOM    OBADIAU    TOMLLNSON,  THE   QUAKEE. 

"  '  LoRDY"  massa,  Missee  'Etta,  am  dat 
you  ? '  ejaculated  a  negress  of  some  sixty 
years,  who  actually  embraced  and  kissed  me 
with  as  much  affection  as  if  I  had  been  her 
own  child.  '  Am  it  ra'ly  you  ?  How  you 
hab  grown  !  Dese  ole  eyes  ucber  speck  to 
see  you  grow'd  to  be  so  fine  a  lady.  Oh  ! 
if  your  poo'  ole  fader  and  mudder  war  only 
'libe  now,  wouldn't  dey  leap  out  ob  dar  skin 
for  bery  joy?  Wal — wal — glad  you  cum 
homo  'gin  ;  douQ;li  tin?;.?  much  chano;e  scnce 
you  went  way  off  to  dat  bordin'  school. 
But  wo  hab  kep  do  ole  mansion,  and  all  de 
ole  niggas  an'  some  ob  de  young  ones,  too. 
Massa  didn't  lose  quite  all  he  prop'ty  'fore 
he  die.  Why,  Lor  bress  you,  why  don't 
you  say  sumfin  ?  When  you  were  a  leetle 
pickaninny,  not  more  dan  five  year  ole,  you 
would  talk  and  laff  all  do  time  ;  but  tirteen 
year  hab  made  de  diff'rence.  Tirteen  year 
dis  bery  monf  you  war  sent  'way  from  dis 
ole  nuss,  and  now  you  cum  back  an'  not  say 
a  word  to  ole  Aunt  Rosy.' 

'  And  are  you  Aunt  Rosy  ?  '  I  ejaculated 
with  as  much  surprise  as  I  dared  a.ssume. 
'I  certainly  should  not  have  known  you.' 

*  Wal,  it  can't  be  hep'd.     Cudn't  speck 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


43 


you  to  'member  much,  coz  you  lef '  us  'fore 
you  were  five,  six  year  ole.' 

I3y  this  time  some  six  or  eight  aged  ne- 
groes and  negresses,  with  half  a  score  or 
more  of  grinning,  shiny-faced  pickaninnies, 
who  had  congregated,  now  lined  the  way 
from  the  carriage  to  the  door,  and  absolute- 
ly made  the  welkin  ring  with  shouts  of  joy 
and  congratulations  at  my  safe  arrival  home! 

Home  !  I  must  confess  I  never  felt  so  far 
away  from  home,  nor  never  felt  go  little  at 
home,  as  now. 

It  was  quite  certain  my  arrival  had  been 
anticipated,  for  I  found  a  room  already  pre- 
pai"ed  for  my  reception,  and  tidy  servants  to 
wait  upon  me  ;  and  by  the  time  I  could  at- 
tire myself  ia  a  wardrobe  which  I  had  never 
seen  before,  a  nice,  well-prepared  supper 
was  awaiting  me.  I  confess  that  the  strange- 
ness which  everywhere  surrounded  me  did 
not  particularly  affect  my  appetite,  for  I  have 
seldom  partaken  of  a  meal  with  a  keener  rel- 
ish ;  nor  did  it  affect  my  sleep,  for  I  never 
slumbered  more  profoundly  than  I  did  on 
that  night — too  profound  for  visions  of  evil 
or  of  good. 

When  I  arose  the  next  morning  I  found 
that  old  Sol  had  preceded  me  for  more  than 
two  hours,  although  I  had  been  accustomed, 
during  my  camp  life,  to  greet  the  first  beams 
of  the  morning  sun. 

As  on.  the  night  previous,  I  partook  of  a 
sumptuous  repast  entirely  alone,  with  the 
same  ready  slaves  to  anticipate  my  every 
want.  I  had  not  yet  seen  a  white  person 
about  the  house,  and  from  the  remarks 
which  dropped  from  the  hps  of  the  daughters 
of  Africa  about  me,  I  arrived  at  the  conclu- 
sion that  I  was  the  sole  mistress  and  propri- 
etress of  Magnolia  Villa,  and  all  its  animate 
and  inanimate  appurtenances. 

After  breakfast  I  sauntered  forth  into  the 
gardens,  and  went  among  the  negro  huts, 
where  I  patted  the  little  ones  on  the  heads, 
kissed  the  infantile  portion,  and  congratulated 
the  older  ones  upon  their  looking  so  well, 


receiving  from  the  latter  in  return  many  a 
'  Gorra  bress  you,  Missee  Marietta  !  ' 

I  could  not  appear  cheerful,  nor  could  I 
converse  freely ;  the  truth  is,  that  I  was  not 
quite  '  at  home  ; '  but  there  was  for  me  a 
mission  to  fulfil ;  and  one  of  my  important 
instructions  was  to  receive  information  and* 
not  to  impart  it. 

Under  some  circumstances  my  ramble 
would  have  been  a  delightful  one,  for  every- 
thing about  the  villa  was  charmingly  beauti- 
ful, ar<d  every  face  had  a  smiling  welcome 
for  the  stranger. 

My  thoughts  were  too  busy  to  assume  my 
wonted  cheerfulness,  or  to  reciprocate  suffi- 
ciently such  kindly  greetings ;  and  it  was 
absolutely  a  relief  to  me  when  I  returned  to 
the  house  and  found  myself  alone  in  a  pret- 
tily-furnished boudoii,  made  fragrant  with 
climbing  roses  and  honeysuckles,  which  half 
shaded  the  wide,  open  casement ;  and  made 
musical  with  a  pair  of  canaries  in  a  cage 
that  hung  in  the  room,  and  whose  warbling 
seemed  like  strains  of  sweet  and  joyous  wel- 
come to  one  whom  they  now  possibly  looked 
to  for  care  and  protection. 

Oh !  that  I  could  only  have  banished 
from  my  thoughtful  brain  the  idea  that  I  was 
there  in  a  false  position !  and  I  almost  en- 
vied the  real,  bona  fide  possessor  of  so  much 
that  could  not  be  otherwise  than  gratifying 
to  the  senses. 

But  what  was  she  ?  This  was  a  startling 
question ;  and  it  roused  me  to  a  full  sense 
of  my  strange,  austere  duties. 

My  first  matter  of  duty  was  to  read  the 
document  of  instructions  wliich  had  been 
given  me.  As  it  was  wi-itten  in  cipher,  it 
proved  no  ordinary  task  ;  and  it  required  no 
less  than  two  hours  to  make  myself  mistress 
of  its  serious  import ;  and  as  it  governed 
entirely  my  subsequent  acts,  suffice  it  now 
for  me  to  say  that  it  commenced  by  inform- 
ing me  that  the  character,  which  I  had  thus 
far  been  made  involuntarily  to  enact,  I  must 
keep  up  for  the  present ;  and  it  assured  me 
that  it  could  do  no  harm  to  the  genuine 


44 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


Marietta  Marland,  as  that  lady  was  quietly 
pursuing  her  studies  in  a  Female  Seminary 
of  Kentucky,  and  under  the  protection  of 
her  aunt,  a  lady  who  was  ardently  devoted 
to  the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  that  it  was 
impossible  for  her  niece  to  return  to  her 
parentless  home  until  my  mission  should  be 
ended  ;  and  also  that  it  was  quite  impossible 
that  I  could  be  recognized  for  any  other 
than  the  rightfal  possessor  of  Magnolia 
Villa,  inasmuch  as  I  not  only  bore  a  strong 
resemblance  to  the  genuine  Miss  Marland, 
but  that  that  lady  had  not  visited  Jackson, 
since  she  was  a  child. 

I  read  and  re-read  all  that  followed,  and 
having  committed  every  sentence  to  memoiy, 
I  lighted  a  match  to  the  paper  and  saw  it 
burn  to  ashes.  The  only  suspicious  thing  I 
now  possessed  was  the  key  £o  the  cipher, 
legibly  marked  upon  a  card. 

Havinor  an  embroidered  waist,  with  long 
sleeves,  I  employed  an  hour's  time  in  inter- 
spersing the  characters  of  the  key,  with  a 
needle,  so  skilfully  among  the  figures  of  both 
sleeves,  that  they  appeared  to  furm  a  part  of 
the  ornamentation ;  and  I  had  but  to  cast 
my  eyes  alternately  from  one  arm  to  the 
other  to  interpret  any  communication  in 
cipher  that  I  might  receive. 

I  then  destroyed  the  card,  and  felt  that 
I  was  now  divested  of  everything  that  could 
possibly  incur  suspicion. 

I  had  scarcely  taken  this  precaution  when 
it  was  announced  that  'Squire  Tomlinson, 
the  administrator  of  the  Marland  estate,  and 
Diy  guardian,  had  arrived  to  congTatulate 
me  on  my  return,  and  to  consult  toe  on 
matters  connected  with  my  welfare. 

Mj  first  impulse  was  to  send  word  that 
I  could  not  see  him  until  another  day ;  but 
a  second  thought  convinced  me  that  I  should 
be  no  better  prepared  to  hazard  an  interview 
with  him  on  the  morrow  or  next  day  than  at 
the  present  time.  I  therefore  sent  him  word 
that  I  was  glad  he  had  come,  and  would  be 
with  him  presently ;  and  scarcely  had  my 
message  been  delivered  when  I  hastily  en- 


tered the  parlor,  attired  only  in  a  loose  morn- 
ing robe,  tliere  to  see  the  strangest  looking 
gentleman  it  had  ever  beea  my  fortune  to 
meet  with. 

He  stojd  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  with 
a  broad-brimmed  hat  upon  his  head,  which 
he  did  not  remove  upon  my  entrance. 

Six  feet  and  two  inches,  at  least,  was  his 
height ;  his  figure  was  slim,  and  encased  in 
oddly-fashioned  clothes  of  drab  ;  his  features 
were  sharp  and  gaunt,  and  his  complexion 
and  hair  partook  within  a  shade  or  two  of 
the  color  of  his  garments. 

I  certainly  must  liave  expressed  consider- 
able surprise  at  his  appearance ;  and  I  was 
not  a  little  abashed  when  I  beheld  his  grey 
eyes,  shaded  by  drab  eyebrows,  scrutinize 
me  from  head  to  foot.  He  at  length  broke 
a  silence  of  at  least  forty  seconds'  duration: 

'  Daughter  look  up  !  fear  not !  for  I  am 
thy  faithful  guiU'dian  and  steward,  Obadiah 
Tomlinson,'  said  he,  as  he  raised  himself 
still  farther  upward  by  attempting  to  stand 
upon  his  toes.  '  Thou  dost  not  recognize 
me  ?  Verily,  it  is  not  strange,  for  thou  hast 
not  seen  me,  nor  I  thee,  since  thou  wast  of 
a  yard  in  stature.  Sit  thee  down,  and  I  will 
sit  me  down  likewise,  for  I  have  nuich  to 
say  to  thee  and  much  to  show  thee,  which 
tliou  mayst  not  comprehend  without  my  ex- 
planation.' 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  speech,  he  bent 
his  lank  body  into  an  angle  of  forty-five  de- 
grees, and  planted  himself  firmly  in  a 
straight-backed  oaken  chair,  which  looked 
as  if  it  had  been  fashioned  for  his  own  con- 
venience and  after  his  own  taste. 

'  Shall  I  not  take  your  hat,'  said  I,  ven- 
turing towards  him,  and  with  difficulty  sup- 
pressing a  laughable  outbreak  at  his  ludi- 
crous appearance. 

'  Verily  thou  canst  not  take  that  which  I 
fain  would  keep  on  my  head,'  he  answered, 
waving  me  towards  a  ch^ir  near  him.  '  Thy 
honored  father,  thy  sainted  mother  didst 
ever  permit  Obadiah  to  sit  in  their  presence 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


45 


covered ;  and  wilt  not  tlieir  only  offspring 
emulate  their  benevolence  ?  ' 

'  Oh,  most  certainly,  Mr  Tomlinson,'  I 
leplied,  seating  myself  as  he  desired. 

'  Obadiah,  if  thou  pleasest.  They  never 
addressed  me  in  the  worldly  way.  It  pleased 
them  to  style  me  only  as  Obadiah,  after  the 
manner  of  the  patriarchs.' 

'  I  piay  you  to  pardon  me,  Mister  Oba- 
diah — ' 

'  Not  Mister  Obadiah,  maiden,  but  plain 
Obadiah.' 

'  I  will  speak  as  you  shall  instruct  me.' 

'  Ah,  verily,  in  that  the  damsel  remindest 
me  of  the  paternal  relation  in  whose  arms  I 
have  often  seen  her.  But  I  have  come  to 
thee  to-day,  Marietta,  on  business, — to  give 
thee  an  account  of  my  stewardship,  as  these 
books  shall  abundantly  testify ; '  and  he 
placed  his  bands  upon  a  pile  of  folios  upon 
the  table  beside  him.  '  Firstly,  is  the  day- 
book, where  all  original  entries  are  made  ; 
secondly,  the  journal ;  thirdly,  the  ledger ; 
fourthly,  the  cash-book ;  fifthly,  the  mer- 
chandise and  stock  account ;  and  lastly,  the 
check,  or  bank-book.  Likewise,  have  I 
drawn  up  a  statement,  on  these  five  loose 
sheets  of  paper, — a  full  statement  of  thy 
temporal  affau's,  including  a  balance  sheet 
which  I  am  pleased  to  say  will  show  thee 
that  the  estate  is  in  a  much  sounder  condi- 
tion than  when  its  management  was  entrusted 
to  my  hands.  My  stewardship  comprises  a 
tenn  of  nearly  half  a  score  of  years  ;  hence 
the  voluminousness  of  these  volumes. — 
Firstly,  I  will  begin  with  the  day-book,  and 
show  thee  each  original  entry ;  secondly, 
the  journal,  in  which  every  transaction  is 
legibly  and  correctly  recorded  ;  thirdly,  the 
ledger,  which  is  a  succinct  compendium  of 
the  whole.' 

'How  long  a  time,  think  you,  will  it  take 
to  go  through  these  books  in  the  manner 
which  you  propose  ?  '  I  ventured  to  ask, 
already  tired  of  his  business,  and  his  tedious, 
methodical  mode  of  speaking. 

'  K,  maiden,  thou  wilt  pay  strict  attention 


to  me  four  hours  per  day,  for  nine  days 
successively,  I  promise  thee  that  thou  shalt 
have  full  comprehension  of  thine  own  affairs, 
and  a  knowledge  of  the  faitliful  manner  in 
which  thy  humble  servant  hast  fulfilled  his 
trust.' 

I  could  not  help  smiling  at  this  absurd 
proposition,  and  frankly  told  him  that  such 
an  infliction  would  end  in  sending  me  to  the 
insane  asylum. 

'  To  whom,  then,  can  I  render  up  an 
account  of  my  stewardship  ?  Thou  art  the 
only  surviving  inheritor  of  the  Magnolia 
estate.' 

'  I  care  not  to  whom,'  was  my  careless 
reply. 

'  Verily,  thou  art  the  daughter  of  thy 
father.  He  was  a  careless  man  in  all  that 
appertained  to  the  recorded  transactions  of 
his  business.  Else  he  might  have  been  a 
millionaire,  and  thou  the  richest  heiress  in 
Mississippi.' 

'  If  the  father  loved  not  book  accounts, 
blame,  not  the  daughter  for  loathing  tliem, 
too.' 

'  I  would  not  blame  thee,  maiden ;  'tis 
not  Obadiah's  way.  Verily,  I  very  much 
feareth  that  to  heaven  alone  shall  I  ever  be 
enabled  to  render  up  an  account  of  this  part 
of  my  earthly  stewardship  ; '  and  he  closed 
the  book  with  a  sigh,  and  with  as  much 
reverence  as  if  it  had  been  the  Holy  Bible. 

'  If  it  will  please  you,  I  will  examine  the 
statement  and  trial  balance  that  you  spoke 
of.  From  that  I  shall  be  enabled  to  gather 
all  that  is  essential  for  a  young,  giddy  gurl 
to  know.' 

'  Aye,  verily,  if  thou  wouldst  but  know 
the  simple  footing  of  years  of  labor,'  said 
the  Quaker,  as  he  placed  in  my  hands  the 
balance  sheet,  from  which  I  readily  learned 
the  heiress  of  Magnolia  Villa  possessed  ten 
thousand  dollars  in  stocks  and  bonds,  five 
thousand  in  ready  cash,  thirty-five  negroes, 
and  the  beautiful  homestead 

'  It  is  quite  enough,'  said  I,  returning 


46 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


the  balance  sheet,  wi*-h  an  air  of  indiffer- 
ence. 

*  Heaven  be  praised  if  thou  art  satisfied ; 
for  it  is  but  the  savings  from  the  wreck  of  a 
princely  fortune  ;  aye,  verily.' 

'  AVhat  has  become  of  the  bulk  of  the 
great  estate,'  I  asked. 

'  Oh,  that  thy  faithful  servant,  Obadiah, 
had  it  in  his  power  to  tell  thee ! '  he  ex- 
claimed, raising  both  hands.  '  Thy  honorecT 
father  was  truly  an  honest  man,  and  he  had 
the  credulity  to  believe  that  those  with  whom 
ho  dealt  were  honest,  too;  and,  verily, 
many  of  them  cheated,  aye,  swindled 
him  out  of  his  goods  ;  and  when  the  estate 
was  placed  in  my  hands  for  settlement,  it 
was  well  nigh  insolvent ;  and  had  I  not  been  a 
faithful  stewtu'd,  I  could  not  have  rendered 
up  so  good  aa  account  as  I  have  rendered 
up  to  thee.* 

'  For  which,  Obadiah,  you  have  my 
thanks ;  and  as  you  seem  to  be  so  trustwor- 
thy a  man,  I  will  consent  to  gratiiy  your 
desire  that  I  should  examine  these  books ; 
but  you  must  permit  me  to  do  it  in  my  own 
way.  You  shall  leave  them  with  me,  and 
whenever  I  am  in  the  mood  I  will  undertake 
the  great  ta.sk.' 

This  proposition  did  not  seem  to  suit 
Broadbrim,  and  he  made  many  objections, 
such  as  that  he  could  not  spare  the  books 
from  his  hands  a  sufficient  length  of  time — 
that  many  things  required  explanation — that 
he  could  not  trust  them  from  his  own  safe 
over  night,  etc.,  etc.  But  the  more  objec- 
tions he  made  the  more  strenuous  I  became, 
until  I  absolutely  had  to  command  him  to 
leave  them. 

The  truth  is,  I  began  to  be  suspicious  of 
Broadbrim's  honesty,  from  the  fact  that  he 
boasted  of  it ;  and  as  I  had  sufficient  curi- 
osity to  fathom  his  real  characier,  I  resolved 
to  pry  into  the  mysteries  of  the  well-worn 
tomes  before  me. 

He  at  length  yielded  up  the  point,  but 
bade  me,  as  I  valued  my  own  welfare,  not 
to  let  them  go  out  of  ray  own  keeping.     I 


promised  to  keep  faithful  watch  over  them, 
and  now  only  waited  to  be  rid  of  his  uncom- 
fortable presence  ;  but  he  manircsted  no  dis- 
position to  leave.  He  seemed  like  one  that 
had  a  weigiity  matter  upon  his  mind,  of  wliich 
he  would  be  relieved. 

After  my  patience  became  quite  exhausted 
I  said  to  him: 

'  Well,  Obadiah,  is  there  anything  more 
to  be  requu-ed  of  me  ?  for  I  had  proposca 
to  myself  to  take  a  stroll  through  the  grounds 
before  the  dinner  hour.' 

'  I  would  fain  stroll  with  thee,  for  I  have 
that  to  say  to  thee  which  must  greatly  affect 
thy  future  welfare.' 

'  Indeed  !  then  I  would  hear  it  now,  and 
here.' 

There  was  a  pause  for  several  moments, 
when  he  raised  his  grey  eyes  to  mine,  and 
said  meekly : 

'  ]ilarietta,  tliou  art  indeed  a  comely  maid- 
en, and  it  is  not  well  for  thee  to  be  alone. 
I  would  resign  my  stewardship  into  hands 
more  capable  of  performing  its  functions.  T 
have  a  son — a  comely  youth — who  would 
fain  put  on  the  armor  of  a  warrior,  and  go 
forth  to  fight  the  bai'barous  Yankees,  who 
with  their  great  guns  are  invading  the  land 
of  our  fathers.  But  fighting  is  an  abomi- 
nation,— aye,  an  abomination  in  the  eight 
of  the  Lord — hence  I  would  have  him  grow 
up  a  man  of  peace.  Thou  hast  the  power 
to  save  him  from  becoming  a  slayer  of  man- 
kind. Thy  bright  eyes  and  sweet  smiles 
would  deter  him  from  going  into  vthe  camp 
of  the  warriors,  and,  perchance  be  laid  low 
by  the  Yankee  Philistines.  In  brief,  fair 
maiden,  I  would  ask  thy  hand  for  him  in 
marriage.  He  shall  be  as  well  endowed 
with  the  riches  of  this  world  as  thou  art — 
yea,  verily,  he  shall  increase  the  Magnolia 
estate  fourfold.  Wilt  thou  say  yea  to  so 
ehgible  and  generous  an  offer  ? ' 

'  Why,  Obadiah,'  I  repHed,  laughing 
heartily  at  the  ridiculous  proposition.  '  This 
son  of  yours  I  have  never  seen,  nor  has  he 
ever  seen  me.     If  marriage  was  ever  so  de- 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


47 


sirable,  I  would  never  take  a  leap  in  the 
dark  in  that  direction.  But  I  have  at  pres- 
ent no  desire  for  wedded  life.  I  am  not  one 
of  those  romantic  school-girls  who,  as  soon 
as  they  have  put  aside  their  books,  jump 
hap-ha2;ard  into  the  toils,  troubles  and  uncer- 
tainties of  matrimony.  Oh,  no,  friend  Oba- 
diah,  I  desire  freedom — ^freedom — for  the 
next  five  years  at  least.' 
'  Art  thou  thus  resolved  ?  ' 
'  Never  was  woman  more  sincere.' 

*  Then  it  behooves  thy  guardian  to  say 
that  thou  hast  not  resolved  well  nor  wisely. 
Thou  wilt  be  exposed  to  the  snares  and 
temptations  of  this  wicked  world ;  thou  wilt 
be  scandalized,  though  thou  art  pure  as  an 
angel.  Reconsider  thy  purpose  and  believe 
in  thy  faithful  guardian.' 

'  Urge  me  not — I  am  inflexible  on  that 
point.' 

*  So  it  seems,  and  I  will  obey ;  for  it  is 
not  meet  for  me  to  urge  the  stubborn  spirit; 
but  I  will  venture  to  affirm  that  shouldst 
thou  hold  converse  for  an  hour  with  my  son 
Potiphar,  thy  heart  would  yearn  towards 
him' 

'  Then  I  must  beg  of  you,  good  guardian, 
not  to  permit  Potiphar  to  venture  near 
INIagnolia  Villa,  lest  my  firm  resolve  be 
shaken,'  said  I,  in  a  halt-serious,  half-jocose 
manner. 

'  Verily,  it  paineth  me  to  see  that  thou 
hast  much  frivolty  in  thy  nature,'  said  he, 
seeming  a  little  vexed  at  the  manner  in 
which  I  had  treated  his  last  suggestion,  and 
he  arose  to  depart. 

'  I  hope  I  have  given  no  offence,'  said  I. 

'  It  becometh  not  one  of  the  house  of 
Tomlinson  ever  to  be  offended.  I  am  only 
disappointed  that  thou  hast  treated  my  favor- 
able proposition  with  so  much  levity,'  he 
replied,  with  all  the  dignity  that  he  was 
master  of.  '  Should  you  need  any  funds, 
services  or  advice,  send  one  of  thy  servants 
to  Basswood  Mansion — the  time-honored 
home  of  the  Tomlinsons — and  thy  wishes 
shall  meet  with  a  response.'  1 


With  these  words  he  clasped  his  hands 
across  his  breast,  raised  himself  upon  his 
toes,  uttered  a  profound  si^h,  and  wheclin" 
about  with  all  the  precision  of  a  drill-sergeant 
he  marched  with  long  strides  out  of  the 
house  ;  and  glad  enough  was  I  to  be  rid  of 
him. 

I  summoned  a  house  servant,  and  bade 
her  take  the  account  books  to  the  boudoir, 
whither  I  followed,  and  soon  found  myself 
deeply  absorbed  in  the  mysteries  of  book- 
keeping. Though  by  no  means  an  adept  in 
the  art,  I  failed  not  to  discover  that  the 
books  were  kept  in  so  slovenly  a  manner 
that,  as  the  Quaker  had  suggested,  there 
might  be  some  things  that  would  require 
explanation;  and  this  was  especially  the 
case  with  the  almost  endless  pages  of  '  The 
Magnolia  Estate  in  account  with  Obadiah 
Tomlinson ; '  an  account  which,  from  the 
nature  of  the  transactions  noted,  and  his 
real  duties  as  steward,  satisfied  me  that  he, 
more  than  any  other  person,  had  caused  the 
estate  to  diminish  from  a  princely  fortune, 
to  a  moderate  competency. 

On  the  following  morning,  immediately 
after  the  breakfast  hour,  I  received  a  visit 
fi'om  the  '  comely  young  man  '  for  whom  my 
hand  had  been  so  urgently  solicited  by  his 
father,  and  who  rejoiced  in  the  euphonious 
name  of  Potiphar  Tomlinson. 

As  I  was  determined  not  to  become 
Potipliar's  wife,  lest  I  should  turn  into 
something  less  desirable  than  a  pillar  of  salt, 
I  did  not  receive  him  with  that  cordiality,  or 
reserve,  or  bashfulness  with  which  young 
damsels  are  wont  to  receive  their  lovers. 

'  My  name  is  Potiphar  Tomlinson,  Miss 
— Miss — Manetta,'  said  he  stammeringly, 
as  he  introduced  himself. 

'  I  should  have  known  you  by  your 
strong  resemblance  to  your  father,'  I  re- 
plied. 

'  Yea — ^yea — verily — I — I — believe  I  do 
bear  a  striking  resemblance  to  Obadiah,  my 
father ;  but  some  folks  are  pleased  to  say 
that  I  am  the  image  of  Abishag,  my  mother, 


48 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


who,  although  I,  Potiphar,  the  son,  says  it, 
is  a  remarkably  fine-looking  woman.' 

'  Well,  Potiphar,  what  is  your  business 
with  me  at  so  early  an  hour  in  the  morn- 
ing ? ' 

'  Bless  mo.  Miss — Miss — Marietta ;  why, 
it's  five  minutes  after  nine  o'clock,  and  five 
hours  hath  passed  since  I  took  the  first  sniff 
of  tlie  morning  air.  I — I — didn't  come  for 
anything  very  particular.  Obadiah,  my 
father,  thought  I'd  better  come — he  did — 
and  so  I  have — and  how's  thy  health  ?  ' 

'  Surprisingly  good,  I  thank  heaven.' 

•  So  I  should  think — thee  looketh  pretty 
well — I  may  say  very  well — better  than  any 
lady  in  Jackson,  or  anywhere  else,  so  far  as 
I  know,'  and  he  twirled  his  broadbrim  so 
nervously  that  he  dropped  it  upon  the  floor, 
and  it  rolled  almost  to  my  feet.  '  Beg 
pardon,  a  thousand  times,'  he  continued, 
following  hi3  tile ;  '  father  Obadiah  says, 
Potiphar,  always  wear  thy  hat ;  but  I  some- 
times trans'iTCSs  his  law,  and  am  sure  to  2;et 
— get — into  trouble,  as  I  have  this  time. 
Some  folks  say  'taint  polite  to  wear  hats  in 
presence  of  ladies,  and  I  like  to  conform  to 
what's  polite  in  spite  of  Obadiah.  Hope 
thee  will  excuse  me ;'  and  he  seized  his 
broadbrim  and  crowded  it  so  hard  upon  the 
back  part  of  his  head  that  there  was  no 
danger  of  its  fallmg  off.  '  Well,  good 
morning.  Marietta.  Abishag,  my  mother, 
sent  her  love  to  thee,  which  I  forgot  until 
now — hopes  thee  will  find  time  to  come  over 
to  Basswood  IMansion.  Grood  bye.  Oh  !  J 
foro'ot  that  Obadiah  instructed  me  to  bring 
to  his  counting-house  the  account  books 
which  he  did  leave  here  for  thy  perusal.' 

'  But  I  have  not  yet  done  with  them.  I 
find  them,  more  interesting  than  I  antici- 
pated.' 

'  Then  thou  wilt  keep  them  until  thou 
hast  finished  them.  Of  course,  Obadiah, 
my  father,  meant  so  to  instruct  me.  I  will 
come  to  Magnolia  again  when  Obadiah 
sceth  fit  to  permit  me.  I  am  his  only  son, 
and  my  wish  ia  to  obey  my  father,  and  my 


mother,  too,  when  her  will  runneth  not  in  a 
counter  direction.' 

. '  I  doubt  not  that  you  are  a  most  dutiful 
son.' 

'  It  gives  me  unbounded  joy  to  hear  thee 
say  so — much  more  than  if  any  other  fair 
damsel  had  said  it.  Farewell.  I  shall  come 
to  see  thee  again — of  that  I  assurest  thee. ' 

'  Do  not  give  yourself  any  trouble,  I  pray 
you.' 

'  Oh,  believe  me,  it  will  be  an  exceeding 
pleasure.  Be.-ides,  it  is  meet  that  I  should 
come,  for  I  am  a  young  man  in  search  of — 
of — of — a — a — ' 

'  His  father's  account  books,'  said  I, 
spoiling  an  interesting  speech  which  I  did 
not  care  to  hear. 

He  tarried  no  longer,  but,  in  imitation  of 
his  sire,  he  crossed  his  hands  on  his  breast, 
raised  himself  on  tip-toe,  and  uttered  a  deep 
sigh  ;  then  turning  right  about  on  his  heel, 
he  strode  off  so  quickly  that  the  skirt  of  his 
long  drab  coat  absolutely  seemed  to  fly  be- 
hind him. 

This  was  my  first  interview  with  Poti- 
phar ;  aTid  I  indulged  in  a  hearty  laugh  as 
I  saw  him  receding  from  my  view  at  a  forty- 
inch  pace,  down  the  Magnolia-bordered  av- 
enue. 

No  other  incident  worth  noting  occurred 
on  that  day ;  and  as  you,  Captain  Manly, 
must  be  somewhat  fatigued  in  listening  to 
my  narrative,  I  will  reserve  the  remainder 
for  anot'iier  occasion,  when  I  will  relate  to 
you  how  I  became,  involuntarily,  a  great 
and  much  courted  lady  in  Sccessia;  how  I 
made  myself  useful  to  the  person  I  was  made 
to  personage,  by  unmasking  a  hypocritical 
broadbrim,  and  divers  other  strange  things 
which  befel  me. 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY, 


49 


CHAPTER   X. 

THE  FAMILY  COACH A  RIDE  IN  STATE 

COLONEL  LAMAR  AND  THE  QUAKER A 

BLOODLESS  ALTERCATION. 

"  On  the  folio  win  2;  mormnor,"  said  Vir- 
ginia,  resuming  her  narrative,  "  I  intimated 
to  Eliza,  one  of  my  semi-sable  attendants, 
that  I  proposed  to  visit  the  town  and  make 
some  purchases. 

'  Dat's  right,  missus,'  she  replied.  'Twill 
do  dis  ole  heart  much  good  to  see  de  car- 
riage 0'  massa  and  missus — bress  dere  dead 
an'  gone  souls — once  more  at  de  doo'. 
'Twill  look  as  if  de  ole  times  wus  eomin' 
ba<'.k  'gin,  for  long  is  de  day  dat  de  fam'ly 
coach  hab  been  seen  in  de  town  ; '  and  be- 
fore I  could  give  her  any  instructions  she 
darted  out  of  the  house  with  a  sprightliness 
which  I  had  not  before  seen  her  exhibit. 

In  a  few  moments  she  returned  and  in- 
formed me  that  she  instructed  the  old  family 
coachman  to  get  liimself  and  the  coach  in 
readiness  for  a  drive. 

I  was  not  aware  of  the  task  I  had  imposed 
on  the  coachman,  and  on  some  half  a  dozen 
others  who  were  called  to  his  assistance, 
until,  after  waiting  a  full  hour,  I  inquired  of 
Eliza  the  cause  of  the  delay. 

'  Ah,  missus,  dat  ar'  coach  hab'nt  ben 
out  de  coach-house  for  seben  long  year ;  an' 
I  speck  it  hab  to  be  cleaned,  an'  de  wheels 
greased,  an'  de  harness  mended,  an'  de 
bosses  combed  to  make  dem  look  lilc e  what 
dey  once  was.  Den  Cuffeehab  to  brush  up 
he  libery,  and  Jo  and  Jim  de  footmen  dar 
libery  too.' 

'  Why,  Eliza,  I  do  not  require  liveried 
servants  to  accompany  me  to  do  a  little  shop- 
ping.' 

'  Dat's  ngt  de  ting,  missus,'  she  resumed, 
quite  excited  at  an  event  that  hadn't  oc- 
curred for  so  many  years ;  '  de  ancien'  spec- 
tability  ob  de  fam'ly  muss  be  kep  up,  an' 
when  de  folks  in  de  town  see  de  Magnolia 
coach  agin,  dey  will  say  dat  'fairs  up  to  de 
villa  am  all  right  again ;  and  when  dey  see  j 


de  new  missus  ob  de  house  ridin'  in  it  won't 
dey  all  be  calhng  heie  as  dey  useter  call! 
Golly,  missus,  dar'll  be  music  at  Magnolia 
Villa  soon — dat's  shuah  ! ' 

I  couldn't  precisely  understand  the  phil- 
osophy of  her  reasoning  ;  but  I  came  to  the 
conclusion  that  in  some  way  or  another  the 
reappearance  of  the  family  coach,  with  the 
last  of  the  house  in  it,  was  likely  to  create 
something  of  a  sensation ;  and  w^hen  finally 
the  vehicle  was  in  readiness  and  came  up  to- 
the  door,  one  glance  convinced  me  that  it 
could  not  fail  of  attracting  attention,  to  say 
the  least. 

It  was  a  ponderous  looking  vehicle — a- 
huge  barouche  of  an  antique  pattern — with 
faded  silk  linings — its  leather  top  sunkeu 
and  cracked — its  ornaments  dingy,  and  the- 
carved  and  gilded  escutcheon  of  the  Mar- 
lands  on  either  panel  much  effaced. 

The  horses  looked  as  if  they  were  hitched 
to  a  plough  rather  than  to  a  pretentious 
coach,  and  the  harnesses  comported  well 
with  the  rest  of  the  establishment. 

But  that  which  most  attracted  my  atten- 
tion and  excited  my  risibles,  was  the  coach-^ 
man,  dressed  in  a  full  suit  of  buff  livery, 
set  off  with  silver  plated  flat  buttons  of  the 
full  size  of  an  American  silver  dollar. 

The  garments  looked  a  little  rusty,  and 
sundry  filigree  work  about  the  sleeves  satis- 
fied me  that  the  moths  had  made  themselves 
somewhat  acquainted  with  the  texture  of  the 
fabric.  Then<Tiis  enormously  high-crowned 
hat  with  an  imposing  black  cockade,  and  his 
white  wool  curling  profusely  about  his  ears, 
together  with  a  high  white  choker  and  a  still 
higher  collar,  stiffly  starched,  altogether 
gave  him  an  appearance  of  the  effigy  of  an 
ancient  nobleman's  coachman,  rather  than  a 
knight  of  the  reins  and  whip  of  the  present 
day. 

He  looked  neither  to  the  right  nor  to  the 
left,  but  sat  erect  upon  his  box,  the  stiffest 
and  most  dignified  specimen  of  humanity 
that  ever  ornamented  the  stem  of  a  coach. 

To  make  the  whole  thing  as  supremely 


60 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


ridif^ulous  as  possible,  a  pair  of  young  ne- 
groes were  mounted  behind  the  coach,  each 
encased  ia  a  costume  improvised  for  the 
occasion.  They  stood  there  grinning  bke  a 
pair  of  apsG,  at  their  new  position,  and  were 
wondering  to  themselves  why  '  Old  Cuffee 
put  dcin  up  dar  to  ride  when  dey  wur  only 
to  perform  the  part  of  ybo^men.' 

At  first  siglit  of  this  remarkable  turn-out, 
I  almost  resolved  to  remand  the  whole  thing, 
horses,  coach,  footmen  and  driver  back  to 
then:  respective  places ;  but  on  reflection  I 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be 
discreet, — at  least  for  me, — not  to  venture 
on  any  innovations  in  the  mode  of  doing 
things  at  Magnolia  Villa ;  and,  moreover,  I 
succeeded  in  manifesting  no  symptoms  of 
the  surprise  I  felt ;  but  finally  placed  my- 
self with  the  proffered  assistance  of  the  two 
grinning  apes,  in  the  ponderous  vehicle,  and 
it  rolled  heavily  onward  down  Magnolia 
Avenue,  into  the  great  highway  leading  to 
the  city,  as  grandly  as  if  it  had  been  the 
State  carriage  of  Jefi".  Davis  himself. 

It  is  true  that  all  the  great  dogs  and  all 
the  little  dogs  saluted  the  carriage  with  their 
yelpings,  as  we  passed ;  and  also  that  all 
the  men,  women  and  children  that  we 
encountered  en  route  stared  at  the  single 
vehicle  with  as  much  curiosity  as  if  it  had 
been  a  grand  caravan  of  living  animals  ;  and 
they  all  had  a  fine  opportunity,  for  Cuffee, 
the  coachman,  could  not  or  did  not  persuade 
the  animals  to  move  faster  than  a  four  mile 
gait.  I  more  than  half  suspected  that  he 
drove  the  team  much  more  moderately  than 
was  necessary,  for  the  sole  purpose  of 
attracting  all  the  attention  possible  to  this 
unique  and  gay  turn-out. 

After  a  ride  of  thirty-five  or  forty  minutes 
we  entered  the  principal  street  of  the  capital 
of  the  State.  My  Jehu  seemed  to  be  per- 
fectly at  home  in  this  embryo  metropolis ; 
and  he  appeared  to  take  especial  delight  in 
driving  by  all  the  public  edifices, — the  State 
House,  the  Executive  IMansion,  the  Lunatic 
Asylum,  the  Land  Office,  not  slighting  even 


the  Penitentiary, — and  finally  drew  up 
before  the  most  pretentious  dry  goods  store 
in  the  place  ;  and  as  it  was  situated  directly 
opposite  the  principal  hotel,  were  were  con- 
gregated a  vast  number  of  military  gentle- 
men, with  a  sprinkling  of  State  officials,  and 
an  occasional  politician  of  note,  it  is  not  to 
be  wondered  at  that  the  JIagnolia  turn-out 
attracted  not  a  little  attention  from  these 
gentlemen  of  leisure. 

In  fact  I  had  no  sooner  made  my  pur- 
chases and  stepped  upon  the  sidewalk  again, 
than  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  idle,  curious 
crowd  had  crossed  the  street,  and  now  stood 
gaping  at  the  equipage  I  had  made  my  entree 
to  Jackson  in. 

As  I  approached  the  carriage  some  half 
dozen  young  officers  vied  with  each  other  in 
endeavoring  to  show  me  all  the  civility  that 
the  place  and  circumstances  could  admits 
One  of  them  persisted  in  conductmg  me  to 
the  coach ;  another  performed  a  better 
service  in  causing  those  who  huddled  about 
the  vehicle  to  stand  out  of  tlie  way,  and 
another  absolutely  came  up  and  addressed 
me  as  Miss  Marland,  claiming  for  his  pre- 
sumption in  speaking  to  me,  to  have  been 
an  intimate  friend  of  our  family ;  said  he 
knew  me  well  when  I  was  a  child,  although 
the  soft  beard  upon  his  chin  attested  that  he 
himself  had  not  been  born  certainly  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  century.  lie  introduced 
himself  as  Captain  Clymer,  of  the  4th 
Mississippi  Cavalry,  and  extended  to  me  an 
invitation  to  visit  his  barracks  near  the  bank 
of  Pearl  Fiiver,  whenever  it  would  suit  my 
pleasure. 

I  of  course  accepted  Jiis  invitation,  and 
thanked  him  for  his  courtesy,  and  appointed 
the  following  day  for  the  visit. 

After  making  a  few  calls  at  the  shops,  I 
bade  Cuffee  drive  homeward,  but  to  make 
a  diversion  towards  the  military  defences  of 
the  capital.  I  desired  this  more  on  account 
of  making  myself  familiar  with  the  topo- 
gi-aphy  of  the  place,  for  you  must  know 
that  I  was  absolutely  a  stranger  there. 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


61 


We  came  to  a  point  where  the  fortifica- 
tions of  the  place  were  in  progress,  and 
where  the  chief  works  could  be  overlooked 
from  the  coach.  I  remarked  to  CufFee  as 
we  halted,  that  everything  seemed  marvel- 
lously changed. 

'  Ees,  missus,'  he  replied.  '  Bery  much 
change,  skasely  know'd  um  mysel.  De 
sojers  dey  turn  all  tings  downside  up,  so  de 
Yanks  can't  come  ;  but  bressa  God  dey  will 
come,  shuah !  ' 

*  What,  Cuffee,  have  you,  too,  turned 
traitor  ? ' 

'  No,  missus — ^I  habn't  got  anything  to 
turn  traitor  to.' 

'  Ai'e  you  not  satisfied  with  your  treat- 
ment at  Magnoha  Villa  ?  ' 

'  Ees,  missus.  Grolly,  we  hab  eberyting 
we  want  out  dar,  but  I  was  tinkin'  ob  de 
poo'  niggas  on  de  plantations.  Dey  hab 
nofin,  'cept  pork  and  homminy  and  de  hoss- 
whip.' 

'  Do  you  desire  your  freedom  ?  ' 

'  No,  missus — wouldn't  leabe  Magnolia 
place  for  de  world.' 

'  What  makes  you  think  that  the  Yankees 
will  come  ?  ' 

'  Kase  I  dreamed  dat  dey  wud  cum,  shuah 
— and  when  I  dreams  anyting,  dat  ting  am 
shuah  to  happen.' 

'  If  that  is  your  belief  you  had  best  keep 
it  to  yourself,  because  evil  will  come  by  ex- 
pressing it. ' 

'  'Zackly,  missus,  but  I  muss  tell  my 
missus — she  muss  know  ebery  ting — my 
heart  tells  me  neber  keep  anyting  secret 
from  missus,  an'  if  I  had  to  die  for  it  .she 
muss  know  it.  Dey  say  de  Yankees  an'  dere 
great  king,  Massa  Abrum  Linkum,  am  de 
poo'  niggas  bess  frens,  and  missus  know'd 
dat  moss  de  massas  in  de  souf  am't  de  poo' 
niggas  frens.' 

Cuifee  expressed' himself  with  so  much 
earnestness  and  sincerity  of  manner  that  I 
doubted  not  that  he  spoke  the,  sentiments  of 
his  heart,  but  fearing  that  my  apeish  footmen 
behind  might  comprehend  too  much,  I  si- 


lenced him,  preferring  to  sound  him  further 
when  a  more  favorable  opportunity  oiFered, 
for  the  idea  occurred  to  me  that  I  might  find 
in  him  precisely  the  person  that  I  might 
need  in  certain  possible  emergencies. 

After  satisfying  my  curiosity  as  to  the  out- 
line of  the  rebel  fortifications,  my  lumbering 
vehicle  was  again  in  motion,  and  as  we  were 
homeward  bound  it  seemed  to  move  with 
much  greater  celerity  than  when  proceeding 
towards  the  capital. 

I  experienced  a  great  relief  when  I  had 
alighted  from  the  ancient  coach  of  the  Mar- 
lands,  and  had  retired  to  my  little  boudoir 
where,  undisturbed  I  could  reflect  on  what 
I  had  seen  and  heard,  and  note  that  which 
was  worth  preserving  in  cipher. 

On  the  next  day  I  repeated  my  visit  to 
the  town,  but  I  contented  myself  with  a  one 
horse  vehicle — a  modified  form  of  the  curri- 
cle,— driven hy  the  disafiected  Cuffee,  minus 
his  livery  and  the  brace  of  fooimen,— which 
mode  of  driving  out  the  heiress  of  the  Mar- 
land  estate, — the  last  of  the  race — comport- 
ed not  exactly  with  his  notions  of  dignity 
or  propriety.  But  I  silenced  all  expostula- 
tions, and  suppressed  all  manifestations,  in 
opposition  to  the  independent  stand  I  had 
taken  to  have  my  own  way,  and  Cuflee  suc- 
cumbed to  the  powers  that  were  with  due 
grace  and  humility. 

Nothing  of  interest  occurred  on  this  ray 
second  visit  to  the  town,  except  that  I  made 
the  discovery  that  every  shopkeeper  I  visited 
appeared  not  only  to  recognize  me,  but  to 
address  me  as  Miss  Marland.  My  credit  I 
also  found  was  well  established,  hut  having 
sufficient  funds  to  meet  all  requirements  I 
did  not  avail  myself  of  it. 

On  my  return,  in  passing  the  hotel  I  have 
before  spoken  of,  I  was  not  a  little  surprised 
to  observe  standing  amid  a  group  of  officers, 
the  gallant  Lieut.  Colonel  Lamar,  who  was 
the  officer  of  my  escort  after  crossing  with- 
in the  lines  of  Secessia. 

A  slight  salute  of  recognition  came  from 
him,  and  a  tremor  thrilled  me  to  the  very 


52 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


Boul,  for  the  thought  that  he  must  be  iu 
Jackson  on  important  business,  and  per- 
chance, in  no  agreeable  manner  connected 
with  myself,  gave  me  no  little  uneasiness. 

I  was  the  heroine  of  a  plot,  why  may  not 
he  be  the  hero  of  a  counterplot  ?  was  a  ques- 
tion which  quickly  suggested  itself  to  my 
mind. 

I  weighed  all  the  probabilities  and  possi- 
biUties,  and  by  the  time  I  had  reached  3Iag- 
nolia  Villa  I  came  to  the  satisfactory  con- 
clusion that  ninety  chances  in  a  hundred 
were  in  favor  of  the  plotter. 

When  evening  came  a  carriage  rolled  up 
the  avenue,  and  four  officers,  in  full  uniform, 
were  presently  ushered  into  the  parlor. 

I  escaped  therefrom  before  being  observed, 
and  hastened  to  my  boudoir. 

A  servant  quickly  came  bearing  a  card 
with  the  address  of  Captain  Clymer. 

Hastily  arranging  my  toilet  I  descended, 
where  I  met  my  new  acquaintance,  who 
introduced  me  to  three  other  officers,  fine 
and  gallant  looking  young  men,  all  of  whom 
apologized  for  making  so  unceremonious  a 
call,  inasmuch  as  they  had  formerly  been 
frequent  visitors  at  Magnolia  Villa,  and  on 
intimate  terms  with  members  of  our  family. 
They  all  congratulated  me  on  my  safe 
return  to  the  land  of  my  birth,  and  to  the 
home  of  my  revered  father  and  grand- 
father. 

I  bade  them  be  seated,  and  after  a  few 
common-place  preliminaries  they  commenced 
plying  *me  with  enquiries  respecting  the 
condition  of  affairs  in  '  Abe  Lincoln's  abo- 
Htion  dominions.' 

Of  course  I  represented  things  in  as  des- 
perate a  state  as  possible  without  infringing 
upon  absolute  truths,  and  without  giving 
them  any  real  information  which  might  be 
of  possible  value  to  the  cause.  That  my 
answers  gave  them  much  satisfaction  was 
evident  from  the  chuckling  manner  in  which 
they  were  received,  and  the  tenor  of  their 
comments. 

'  Your  observation  confirms  our  supposi- 


tions, Miss  Marland,'  said  Captain  Clymer; 
'  and  the  day  is  not  far  distant  when  their 
armies  will  be  demoralized  and  disbanded. 
They  have  already  reached  the  climax  of 
their  successes,  and  the  farther  they  push 
their  armies  into  the  Confederacy  the  more 
total  will  bo  their  defeat,  and  the  more 
glorious  will  be  our  victory.' 

'  And  hasn't  it  been  good  policy,  captain, 
from  the  first,  to  entice  these  vandals  as  far 
into  our  territories  as  possible,  that  we  may 
inflict  upon  them  that  punishment  their 
audacity  so  justly  merits  ?  '  asked  a  lieuten- 
ant of  the  party, 

'  Precisely,'  replied  the  captain;  'and  in 
doing  this  our  generals  have  proved  them- 
selves skilful  strategists.' 

'  Doubtless,'  rejoined  a  third  officer,  '  and 
it  was  for  this  that  we  evacuated  Bowling 
Green,  gave  up  Forts  Donelson  and  Clark, 
and  Island  No.  10.' 

'  Yes,  and  withdrew  om*  armies  from  the 
bloody  fields  of  Pittsburg  Landing  and 
Shiloh,  after  half  annihilatino;  and  scatterinnr 
the  Yankee  forces,'  echoed  the  fourth 
officer. 

'But  now,'  resumed  Captain  Clymer; 
'  we  have  reached  the  extreme  boundai'ies 
of  our  strategic  retreats;  and  soon  our 
armies  will  strike  blow  after  blow  so  heavily 
and  so  rapidly  upon  the  barbarous  Yanks, 
that  they  will  sue  for  peace  on  any  terms.' 

'  But  why,'  I  asked,  '  if  the  Yankees  are 
not  to  be  permitted  to  advance  any  farther 
into  the  Confederacy,  why  expend  so  much 
labor  and  money  in  fortifying  a  town  so 
remote  from  their  operations  as  Jackson  ? ' 

'  Ah  !  jMiss  Marland — a  natural — a  very 
natural  question  for  one  to  ask,'  repUed  the 
captain.  '  If  that  query  has  been  put  once 
it  has  been  put  a  thousand  times.  It  is  not 
for  the  purpose  of  defence.  Miss  Marland, 
that  those  works  were  projected.  They  are 
being  constructed  only  for  the  purpose  of 
practice — to  teach  our  young  officers'  the  art  , 
of  engineering,  and  the  privates  skUl  in  the 
use  of  the  pick   and  the  spade.     And  as 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


53 


you  have  accepted  an  invitation  to  visit  the 
entrenched  portions  of  the  city,  I  propose  to 
come  for  you  to-morrow,  and  after  inspecting 
the  works  you  will  readily  comprehend  my 
explanation. ' 

'  Thank  you,  captain,  a  visit  would  un- 
doubtedly be  a  source  of  much  gratification 
to  me,'  I  replied  ;  '  but  I  have  been  debat- 
ing in  my  own  mind  whether  it  is  proper  for 
me,  a  young  lady,  to  manifest  an  interest  in 
military  afiliirs.' 

'  Perfectly — oh,  perfectly,  Miss  Marland,' 
replied  Clymer,  quite  enthusiastically.  '  Our 
young  ladies,  in  some  instances,  evince  a 
more  patriotic  ardor  than  many  of  our  young 
gentlemen.  In  times  of  war  an  Amazonian 
spirit  is  much  to  be  respected  and  ap- 
plauded ;  and  every  lady,  who  manifests 
such  a  spirit,  helps  to  aid  the  right  cause  by 
animating  those  whose  duty  it  is  to  take  the 
field,  and  sacrifice  their  lives  if  necessary, 
upon  the  altar  of  their  country.' 

'  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  say  words  so 
encouraging  to  those  of  my  sex,  for  I  have 
already  conceived  it  to  be  my  duty  to  do 
something  more  for  our  bleeding  country 
than  to  remain  at  home,  making  pincushions 
and  nick-nacks  for  the  soldiers,  or  in  picking 
lint  for  the  hospitals.  I  am  ambitious  to  be 
an  attache  of  the  camp,  or  the  fortress,  in 
some  appropriate  capacity.' 

'  I  have  no  doubt,  I^Iiss  Marland,  that 
your  fullest  desires  may  be  gratified.  My 
distinguished  relative,  General  Beauregard, 
has  much  influence  with  the  powers  that  be 
at  Hichmond.  When  you  have  determined 
the  particular  position  that  would  be  agree- 
able to  you,  my  services  in  your  behalf 
may  at  least  be  commanded.' 

'  Thank  you,  Captain ' 

The  conversation  was  here  interrupted 
by  the  announcement  of  Colonel  Lamar. 

'  Col.  Lamar !  Can  it  be  possible  he's 
in  town  ?  What  can  have  brought  him 
from  the  army  ? '  were  the  ejaculations 
uttered  sotto  voce  by  the  lips  of  my  visitors. 

Any  intended  answer  to  these   queries 


were  for  the  moment  suspended  by  the 
entrance  of  the  colonel  himself.  I  received 
him  with  as  much  cordiality  as  my  ardor 
would  permit,  for  I  could  not  avoid  enter- 
taining the  suspicion  that  his  sudden  arrival 
at  Magnolia  VLUa  boded  no  particular  good 
to  myself. 

In  truth  I  was  not  a  little  discomfited 
at  the  circumstance,  notwithstanding  the 
apparent  impression  I  had  made  upon  his 
susceptible  heart  while  he  journeyed  with 
me  into  the  land  of  Secessia. 

It  could  scarcely  be  possible,  I  reasoned, 
that  he  could  have  gained  leave  of  absence 
while  performing  the  imperative  duty  of 
guarding  the  frontier  from  Yankee  incursions, 
unless  intrusted  with  business  essential  to 
the  rebel  cause. 

He  seemed  quite  reserved — asked  me  but 
few  questions,  and  those  of  a  common  place 
nature,  and  mostly  relative  to  the  latter  part 
of  my  journey. 

My  answers  were  of  course  quite  as  com- 
mon-place, and  tended  to  throw  a  Quaker- 
like spell  upon  the  whole  party. 

My  first  visitors,  after  enquiring  for  intel- 
ligence from  the  army  in  the  field,  and 
gaining  such  information  as  could  be  dieted 
from  Lamar,  rose,  and  expressing  each 
gratification  at  the  visit,  bade  me  good  eve- 
ning, and  took  their  departure,  leaving  the 
colonel  alone  with  me,  to  develope  without 
interruption  the  nature  of  his  business. 

'  I  fear.  Miss  Marland,'  said  he,  '  that  I 
have  made  an  untimely  visit,  and  that  my 
brother  ofiicers  feel  somewhat  chagrined  at 
my  unexpected  appearance  here.' 

'  Yom*  visit  is  by  no  means  untimely, 
colonel ;  and  I  trust  that  my  newly-made 
friends  are  not  over-sensitive,'  was  my 
reply. 

'  You  certainly  had  no  reason  to  expect 
me  so  soon,  but  I  must  confess  that  from 
the  moment  that  I  parted  with  you  at  the 
Railway  Station  I  regretted  that — that' 

He  hesitated,  and  there  was  an  ominous 


54 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


expression  upon  his  young  and  happy  coun- 
tenance that  gave  nic  some  alarm. 

'  Business  of  urgent  importance,  connected 
with  your  official  duties,  must  have  brought 
you  to  town  from  your  post  of  duty,'  I 
remarked,  with  almost  tremulous  accent. 

'  Yes — no,  not  exactly — that  is  to  say 
— I  bog  pardon,  I  scarcely  know  what  to 
say,'  he  stammered,  as  if  embarrassed  with 
something  of  serious  import  that  he  desired 
to  relieve  himself  of.  '  The  fact  is.  Miss 
Marland,'  he  at  length  resumed,  '  I  have 
come  post  haste  from  my  regiment,  with  but 
three  days  leave  of  absence,  for  the  purpose 
of  informing  you  that  my  superior  officer 
has  conceived  a  foolish  suspicion  in  regard 
to  your  real  character,  and  to  gain  such 
intelligence  as  will  dissipate  his  unfounded 
surmises.' 

'  Why  you  quite  startle  me,  colonel,'  said 
I,  regaining  by  a  great  effort  my  wonted 
self  possession.  '  Prithee  tell  me,  of  what 
a  weak  young  girl  like  me  can  be  suspected 
of.' 

'  He  scarcely  knows  himself ;  but  he  pro- 
fesses great  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and 
almost  swears  that,  although  he  saw  you  but 
for  a  moment,  that  you  are  no  Southern 
lady  !  ' 

'  There  is  nothing  very  surprising  in  that,' 
said  I,  with  a  hearty  laugh.  '  He  was  not 
aware  that,  having  lived  a  great  portion  of 
my  life  among  the  Yankees,  and  having 
been  educated  among  them,  that  I  should 
not  have  the  manners  or  the  appearance  of  a 
Southern  lady.' 

'  So  I  told  him  ;  but  he  shook  his  head  ;  he 
would  not  be  convinced. ' 

'  I  am  sorry  that  you  did  not  bring  this 
doubting,  vigilant,  suspicious  officer  with 
you,'  said  I. 

'  But  one  of  us  could  gain  permission  to 
leave  the  regiment,'  he  replied- 

'  So  you  have  undertaken  tins  journey 
alone  to  satisfy  your  commander  ? ' 

'  Such  is  the  fact ;  and  I  shall  enjoy  a 
good  laugh  at  his  expense,  when  I  can  tell 


him  that  I  found  you  domiciled  at  Magnolia 
Villa,  the  acknowledged  daughter  of  the 
late  lamented  Honorable  Mr.  Marland.' 

'  Perhaps  it  would  be  judicious  in  you  to 
examine  the  elder  servants  on  the  estate.  I 
will  summon  them.' 

'  Nay,  Miss  Marland,  it  is  unnecessary. 
My  life  upon  your  beings  none  other  than 
the  heiress  of  the  Marland  estate,'  he  assev- 
erated with  considerable  emphasis. 

'  A  rather  dilapidated  estate,  if  the  repre- 
sentations of  Obadiah  Tomlinson,  our  agent, 
are  correct.  I  find  that  I  am  possessed  of 
but  the  wreck  of  the  possessions  of  a  once 
opulent  family,  but  as  my  want*:  will  •  bo 
limited  it  will  serve  me  just  as  well  as  a 
large  fortune.' 

'  Obadiah  Tomlmson  ! '  repeated  Lamar ; 
I  know  him — he's  a  miserly  old  Quaker — I 
ask  pardon,  he  is  the ' 

'  You  need  not  fear  to  expres.s  your  mind, 
colonel,'  I  interrupted,  for  I  have  reason  to 
believe  that  he  is  not  only  a  miser  but  a 
knave,  and  in  due  time  he  shall  be  exposed.' 

'  It  has  long  been  a  matter  of  surprise,' 
resumed  Lamar,  'that  this  man  ever  since  he 
became  an  employee  of  your  lamented  father, 
has  been  accumulating  wealth,  while  tlie  es- 
tate which  he  represented  has  been  dwind- 
ling away,  and  if  you  have  been  so  fortunate 
as  to  have  discovered  a  key  to  the  mystery 
it  will  be  a  relief  to  those  who  have  looked 
upon  the  decay  of  the  great  fortune  that 
yoiu"  father  was  once  known  to  possess.' 

'  Whether  I  possess  the  key  or  not,  colo- 
nel, I  have  in  my  possession  this  man's  ac- 
count of  his  stewardship,  and  having  em- 
ployed many  hours  in  poring  over  his  books, 
I  have  detected  many  glaring  inconsisten- 
cies, of  which  I  have  taken  note.  When  I 
become  a  little  better  satisfied  with  his  mal- 
practices, the  whole  matter  shall  be  placed 
in  the  hands  of  an  attorney.  Bye  the  bye, 
colonel,  can  you  recommend  me  to  some  le- 
gal gentleman,  in  whom  I  may  place  entire 
confidence  both  as  regards  ability  and  hon- 
esty ? ' 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


55 


'  I  know  a  keen-witted,  shrewd,  intelligent 
and,  as  I  believe,  honest  lawyer  of  Jackson, 
who  would  be  glad  to  be  retained  in  youi- 
cause  ;  but  as  he  is  my  brother-in-law  I 
would  prefer  that  some  other  person  com- 
mend him  to  your  consideration.' 

'  I  will  rely  upon  your  estimate  of  this 
legal  gentleman.  If  you  will  give  me  his 
address,  I  shall  do  myself  the  honor  to  seek 
an  interview  with  him  when  I  have  pro- 
gressed a  little  ferthcr  into  the  Quaker's 
record.' 

'  With  much  pleasure,'  he  replied,  pro- 
ducing a  slip  of  paper,  on  which  he  wrote, 
'  William  Barnwell,  Attorney  and  Coun- 
sellor at  Law,  No. — ,  Pearl  Street,  Jack- 
son,' and  placed  it  in  my  hands. 

No  sooner  had  I  received  the  address, 
than  a  servant  announced  '  Obadiah  Tom- 
linson.' 

'  Tell  him  that  I ' 

Before  I  could  finish  the  sentence  which 
would  have  informed  Obadiah  that  I  was 
engaged  and  could  not  see  him,  his  gaunt, 
erect  figure  stalked  into  the  room,  and  halt- 
ing in  front  of  the  colonel  and  myself,  he 
said: 

•  Verily,  INIiss  Marietta,  I  did  not  know 
that  thou  hadst  a  man  of  war  with  thee,  oth- 
erwise I  should  not  have  ventured  into  thy 
presence.' 

'  Had' you  waited  at  the  door  a  moment 
longer  you  would  have  been  informed  that 
I  was  engaged,'  said  I,  appearing  to  ho  of- 
fended at  his  intrusion. 

'  En-ga-ged  ! '  repeated  Broadbrim,  thrice, 
misinterpreting  my  meaning.  '  The  daugh- 
ter of  my  old  friend  engaged !  and  not  to  a 
man  of  peace,  but  to  a  son  of  Mars  !  ' 

'  Sir  ! '  said  I,  casting  an  angry  look  upon 
him,  while  my  cheeks  burned  with  a  sudden 
suffusion  of  blood.  '  I  was  engaged  in  con- 
versation with  Colonel  Lamar,  and  I  am  de- 
su-ous  of  continuing  it  without  the  presence 
of  a  third  party.' 

•  Mar-i-etta  !  ]Mar-i-etta  !  I  am  thy  guar- 
dian !  it  is  my  rightful  prerogative  to  pro- 


test against  thy  receiving  the  attentions  of 
those  who  snjite  with  the  sword  !  verily,  in  , 
thus  doing,  I  do  but  observe  the  parting  in- 
junctions of  thy  late  father  ! ' 

'  I  suppose,  then,  that  you  would  deny 
me  the  right  to  receive  the  attentions  of  any 
man  ?  ' 

'  Verily,  that  I  should,  without  thou  didst 
first  ask  and  receive  the  consent  of  thy  law- 
ful guardian.' 

'  I  did  not  ask  for,  nor  receive  the  consent 

of  Obadiah,  that  Potipliar,  hid  son,  should 

importune  mo  with  his  attentions,'  I  retorted. 

'  iMy  son  !    Dared  he  to  lift  his  eyes  to 

thine  ?  ' 

'  Most  assuredly  he  did.' 
'  Then  will  it  be  my  duty  to  thwack  Pot- 
iphar  thrice  with  a  rod  of  birch.' 

'  You  wouldn't  punish  your  own  son  for 
daring  to  look  a  young  girl  in  the  face,  es- 
pecially as  you  had  sent  him  to  make  love 
to  me,'  I  ventured  to  remark. 

'  M-o-n-s-t-r-o-vi-s  ! '  drawled  out  Broad- 
brim ;  '  I  sent  him  hither  for  no  such  unholy 
purpose,  but  to  obtain  from  thee  those  precious 
books  which  never  so  long  before  hath  left 
my  custody.  Thou  didst  decline  to  deliver 
them  up,  inasmuch  as  thou  hadst  not  perused 
them  to  thine  own  satisfaction.  Now,  how 
canst  thou  say  he  came  to  make  love  ?  ' 

'  Because  his  looks,  his  manner,  his  stam- 
mering speech  all  indicated  it.' 

'  Verily,  thou  art  deceived,  maiden. 
Potiphar  came  for  the  books,  and  with  that 
purpose  do  I  now  come,  and  not  for  the 
purpose  of  intruding  between  thee  and  the 
man  of  war,  who  weareth  a  sword  at  his 
thigh.  But  being  shocked  at  the  sight  I 
did  make  bold  to  protest,  for  I  am  thy  guar- 
dian and  thou  art  my  ward.' 

'  But  not  thy  slave  ! '  I  retorted 
'  Verily,  maiden,  thou  art  not  of  the  race 
of  Ham,  but  of  Japhet,  and  therefore  no 
one  hast  the  power  to  enslave  thee ;  but, 
nevertheless,  the  law  doth  authorize  me  to 
exercise  that  wholesome  and  gentle  restraint 
over  thine  actions,  that  thou  mayst  not  di- 


66 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


verge  from  the  path  of  rectitude ;  yea,  ver- 
ily, and  the  law  is  just.' 

'  I  am  afraid,  Obadiah,  that  if  you  intend 
to  keep  watch  over  my  actions,  you  will  find 
precious  little  time  for  any  other  duty,'  I 
remarked. 

'  Nevertheless,  I  have  accepted  the  trust, 
and  it  becometh  my  dignity  and  honor  to 
look  after  thee  as  a  good  shepherd  after  his 
flock,'  lie  replied. 

'Then,  Obadiah,  it  becometh  my  dignity 
and  honor  to  relieve  you  of  all  care,  of  all 
responsibility,  regarding  me ;  for  I  do  re- 
nounce all  allegiance,  all  obeisance,  to  your 
presumed  authority.  So,  go  your  ways  and 
trouble  me  no  more.' 

*  Man  of  war  !  man  of  war  ! '  cried  Broad- 
brim, addressing  Lamar ;  '  hast  thou  given 
attention  to  that  which  this  bold  maiden  de- 
clareth  ?  ' 

'  I  certainly  have,  and  much  do  I  admire 
her  independence,'  replied  the  colonel. 

'  Verily,  thou  must  have  bewitched  her ; 
and  it  is  not  well  for  thee  and  the  maiden  to 
be  alone.  I  will  therefore  set  me  down  in 
thy  midit  and  be  a  witness  of  thy  baneful 
councils,'  said  Obadiah,  as  he  took  a  chair, 
and  drawing  it  quite  near  to  Lamar  and  my- 
self, quietly  ensconced  himself  in  it. 

In  another  moment  we  both  arose,  and 
leaving  the  parlor  in  full  possession  of  Broad- 
brim, we  repaired  to  the  hall,  and  there  re- 
sumed conversation.  But  the  Quaker  was 
not  to  he  frustrated,  and  having  rei-overcd 
his  surprise  at  my  wiliixl  conduct,  he  followed 
us  hither. 

'  Verily,  Marietta.  Marland,'  said  he, 
entering,  '  thou  art  a  perverse  and  undutiful 
maiden,  and  I  will  leave  thee  to  thine  own 
destruclion  ;  but  ere  I  go  I  must  request 
thee  to  deliver  up  to  my  keeping  the  books 
that  were  placed  in  thy  hands,  for  the  pui-- 
pose  of  satisfying  thyself  that  I  have  been  a 
faithful  stewai-d  of  the  estate.' 

'  When  I  have  done  with  them,  Obadiah, 
they  will  be  restored.' 

'  Art  thou  not  satisfied  already  ?  ' 


'  No,  Obadiah,  not  fully.  There  are 
many  things  which  I  cannot  understand.' 

'  But  which  I  have  oifered  to  explain  to 
thee.' 

'  I  have  no  doubt  you  might  give  a  very 
plausible  explanation,  but  I  prefer  to  place 
them  in  the  hands  of  a  professional  gentle- 
man— a  disinterested  party — for  a  thorough 
investigation.' 

Obadiah  looked  amazed,  and  for  some 
moments  was  speechless.  Ilis  face,  too, 
b'ecame  reddened  with  anger,  and  instead  of 
preserving  his  usual  erect  and  dignified 
attitude,  with  his  hands  clasped  across  his 
l)reast,  he  absolutely  pulled  off  his  broad- 
brimmed  covering,  and  swinging  it  violently 
to  and  fro,  he  cried  out  in  a  loud  voice, 
addressing  Lamar : 

'  Son  of  Belial  !  thou  man  of  the  sword 
and  gilt  trappings  !  thy  presence  here  fore- 
bodeth  no  good  to  this  young  damsel ! 
Therefore,  I  do  command  thee  to  begone  !  ' 

'  Son  of  a  coward  ! '  retorted  the  colonel, 
imitating  the  Quaker,  '  thou  man  of  the 
broadbrim,  the  drab  suit,  and  the  sneaking, 
hypocritical  countenance  !  Thy  presence 
here  forebodeth  no  good  to  thee,  and  if  thou 
dost  not  immediately  depart,  verily,  I  will 
tickle  thy  flesh  with  the  sharp  point  of  this 
two-edged  blade  !  ' 

As  the  colonel  uttered  these  words  he 
drew  his  weapon  and  brandished  it  before 
the  Quaker's  eyes. 

'  Approach  me  not !  approach  me  not ! 
else  thine  own  blood  shall  answer  for  it !' 
returned  Broadbrim,  suddenly  producing  a 
pistol  from  beneath  his  drab  covering.  '  I 
am  a  man  of  peace,  but  behold  I  am  armed 
against  the  Philistine !  Therefore,  stand 
off^  lest  I  do  thee  mischief ! ' 

'  I  do  not  fear  such  a  toy  as  that !  '  said 
the  colonel,  as  by  a  dexterous  movement  of 
his  sword,  he  stmck  the  pistol  from  the 
hand  of  the  Quaker.  It  fell  upon  the  floor 
and  Lamar  picked  it  up,  and  ascertained 
that  it  contained  neither  powder  nor  ball !  ' 


SPY  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY. 


57 


*  Man  of  war,  give  me  the  weapon  ?  '  de- 
manded Obadiah. 

'  Hypocritical  knave  !  '  demanded  the 
colonel ;  '  you  disgrace  even  the  name  of 
<5uaker,  under  which  you  have  avoided  our 
proscription.  But  it  shall  serve  you.  no 
longer,  for  befure  the  sun  sets  I  will  make 
it  my  duty  to  report  your  warlike  character 
to  the  Provost  Marshal ! ' 

'  I  ask  thy  pardon  !  oh  man  of  the  sword  ! 
I  will  even  bend  my  knee  to  thee,  which 
ne'er  did'st  bend  to  man  before  ! '  said  the 
frightened  Obadiah,  as  he  knelt  before  the 
colonel.  '  I  was  provoked,  and  in  my 
wrath  did'st  offend  thee.  Verily,  I  wast 
possessed  of  the  spuit  of  Belial  whilst  I  did 
speak ! ' 

'  Your  apology  is  quite  sufficient,  Mr. 
Thee-and-Thou  !  '  said  Lamar.  'Gret  up, 
and  take  thyh:elf  hence  as  quickly  as  thy 
nether  limbs  will  carry  thee.' 

'  Verily,  it  becometh  me  to  obey  thee,' 
said  Broadbrim,  rising ;  *  but  I  would  fain 
bear  along  the  account  books  with  me,  if 
the  maiden  pleaseth  to  consent.' 

*  When  I  have  done  with  them  they  shall 
be  sent  after  you,  Obadiah,'  I  replied. 

'  I  fearcth  much  they  will  affect  thy  brain, 
shouldst  thou  study  too  long  into  their  in- 
tricacies. ' 

*  They  have  already  puzzled  me  much, 
*  but  I  have  told  you  that  I  shall  retain  an 

Attorney  to  assist  me.' 

'  Put  not  thy  trust  in  the  man  of  Law. 
He  will  so  lead  thee  into  its  meshes  that 
thou  wilt  never  be  enabled  to  extricate  thy- 
self. I  beseech  thee  to  listen  to  him  that 
thy  late  fither  didst  place  implicit  coiifidence 
m.' 

'  Too  much,  I  fear,  Broadbrim ;  and, 
therefore,  I  will  not  accede  to  your  wishes.' 

*  Verily,  thou  art  an  inexorable  maiden, 
and  much  harm  wilt  come  to  thee  for  thy 
stubbornness.  I  now  humbly  take  my 
leave.     Good  bye,  thou  man  of  blood.' 

'Good  bye,  old  Thee-and-Thou,'  reppon- 
ded   the   colonel.       '  Beware   of    carrying 


deadly  weapons,  lest  your  qixakcrir3h  pre- 
tensions fail  to  avail  you  of  exemption  from 
the  draft ! ' 

'  Thy  advice  shall  profit  me,'  replied 
the  Quaker,  as  he  made  his  exit  from  the 
room. 

'  That  fellow  is  an  arrant  knave — a 
consummate  hypocrite  !  '  remarked  Lamar. 

'  He  has  taught  me  to  believe  so ;  and 
he  shall  be  called  to  a  severe  reckoning,'  I 
replied. 

But  in  what  manner  /  should  proceed, 
considering  the  delicate  position  in  which  I 
myself  ■  stood,  was  quite  inde.^mite.  And 
the  question  more  than  once  suggested  itself 
to  my  mind,  why  I  should  interest  myself 
so  readily  in  the  affairs  of  another. 

But  it  was  answered  by  the  fervent  desire 
I  felt  to  make  some  amends  for  the  unwar- 
rantable but  involuntary  attitude  which  I 
was  forced  to  assume.  If  I  could  be  the 
humble  instrument  in  restoring  to  the  real 
heiress  of  Magnolia  Villa  that  which  had 
probably  been  wrested  from  her  by  a  villain, 
she  would  at  least  forgive  me  for  the  impo- 
sition I  had  been  made  to  practice. 

The  colonol,  after  a  few  observations 
touching  the  attorney  he  had  recommended 
to  me,  arose  to  depart.  I  had  so  won 
upon  his  credulity  and  confidence,-  that  I 
ventured  to  request  of  him  to  obtain  for  me 
a  pass  to  Vicksburg  from  the  general  com- 
manding at  Jackson.  He  promised  to  do 
so,  and  after  wishing  me  all  success,  and 
bidding  me  a  kind  adieu,  he  departed  from 
the  Villa,  leaving  me  quite  alone  to  medi- 
tate upon  the  course  of  conduct  I  would 
pursue,  not  only  to  bring  the  Quaker  to  a 
strict  account  of  his  stewardship,  but  also  in 
relation  to  the  mission  I  had  from  motives 
of  loyalty  and  patriotism  undertaken. 


58 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


CHAPTER  XI. 

A   HORRIBLE    CUIMB    PREVENTED.       TQE    DOG 
GROWLER   AND  TUE    QUAKER's    COAT-TAIL. 

"  It  was  nearly  the  hour  of  eleven  before 
I  retired  to  my  chamber,  and  as  I  felt  little 
disposition  to  sleep,  I  sat  down  at  the  open 
casement,  where  I  could  overlook  the  lawn 
in  front,  the  shaded  avenues,  and  the  garden 
of  flowers  situated  on  the  easterly  side  of  the 
bouse. 

The  heavens  during  the  evening  had  been 
veiled  by  scudding  clouds,  but  now  there 
was  scarcely  a  speck  visible,  within  the 
scope  of  my  vision,  to  hide  the  deep  blue 
vault  above.  The  moon,  nearly  at  her  full, 
shone  with  her  wonted  lustre,  and  the  stars 
vied  with  the  queen  of  night  in  lending  their 
brightness  to  the  dull  earth.  So  bright  was 
it  that  I  extinguished  the  light  on  my  table 
that  I  might  the  better  view  the  resplendent 
beauties  of  the  night.  So  beautiful  seemed 
everything  about  Magnolia  Yilh,  that  for 
the  first  time  I  really  felt  a  slight  touch  of 
envy  of  its  real  possessor  ;  but  this  did  not 
drive  from  my  thoughts  the  all-impurtant 
plans  which  must  be  thoroughly  digested 
before  I  could  act  with  safety,  and  with  a 
probable  certainty  of  success. 

I  had  meditated  for  a  full  hour,  when  my 
thoughts  were  suddenly  diverted  by  the 
rustling  of  the  branches  and  leaves  of  shrubs, 
apparently  proceeding  from  near  the  centre 
of  the  flower  garden.  I  should  not  have 
been  attracted  by  this  noise  had  there  been 
sufficient  breeze  to  have  moved  the  branches 
of  the  trees ;  but  a  dead  calm  prevailed,  a^d 
it  seemed  as  still  as  death  without.  My 
eyes  became  riveted  upon  the  spot,  and  after 
gazing  for  several  minutes  and  observing 
nothins;,  and  heariuG:  nothinsr,  I  attributed 
it  to  some  domestic  or  other  animal  that  was 
prowling  about.  But  presently  I  heard  it 
again,  and  turning  my  eyes  in  that  direction, 
I  distinctly  beheld  the  figure  of  a  tall  man 
Standiuo;  forth  in  bold  relief  in  the  moon's 


rays  before  a  clump  of  gladioluses,  whoso 
gorgeous  flowera  had  on  the  morning  prev- 
ious attracted  my  attention. 

The  apparition  slightly  startled  me,  but 
as  I  thought  that  the  figure  was  not  wholly 
unfamiliar  to  me,  and  the  casement  where  I 
sat  being  shaded  1:)y  dark  vines,  and  the 
projecting  verandah  above  shutting  off  the 
moon's  rays,  I  kept  my  seat,  and  fixed  my 
eyes  intently  upon  the  object. 

Presently  it  moved  back  a  few  paces, 
stooped,  as  if  to  gather  something  from  the 
earth,  and  then  asjain  stood  erect,  facins: 
towards  the  villa,  as  if  watcliing  for  some 
object  or  other  appearance.  It  then  moved 
stealthily  up  the  path,  passed  the  gate  and 
crossed  the  lawn  until  it  was  lost  under  the 
projection  beneath  me. 

The  thought  was  suggested  to  my  mind 
that  there  was  mischief  afloat;  and  under 
ordinary  circumstances  I  might  have  been 
too  much  frightened  to  act ;  but  I,  who  had 
braved  so  manyperils,  was  not  to  be  itiini- 
dated  by  a  midnight  prowler,  even  about  a 
peaceful  residence. 

I  immediately  rushed  from  my  room  and 
down  the  stairs,  and  from  a  window  of  the 
parlor  beheld  the  prowling  visitor  upon  the 
verandah,  crouching  over  what  appeared  to 
be  a  pile  of  faggots,  placed  against  the  dry 
lattice-work  of  the  verandah.  I  saw  him 
take  a  match  from  his  pocket,  ignite  it  and 
light  a  small  piece  of  candle,  which  he 
carefully  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  pile  of 
faggots,  and  then  artfully  cotiecal  the  flame 
by  piling  some  brush  around  it,  so  that  its 
rays  could  not  give  light  beyond  it. 

The  prowler's  intent  was  no  longer  an 
uncertainty,  and  the  wretch  himself  was 
known  to  me.  As  soon  as  he  saw  that  his 
atrocious  design  miLst  be  accomplished  with- 
out his  further  aid,  he  moved  stealthily 
away. 

I\Iy  first  purpose  was  to  rush  forth  and 
extinguish  the  candle  before  it  had  ignited 
the  pile  about  it ;  but  at  that  moment  I 
heai'd  the  growl  of  a  large  hoimd  which  was 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


69 


confined  in  a  large  kennel  in  the  yard  in 
the  rear  of  the  villa.  I  flew  towards  a  back 
door,  turned  the  lock, , and  in  a  moment 
more  was  beside  the  kennel.  I  called 
Growler  by  his  name  and  forthwith  unloosed 
him.  He  rushed  forth,  and  leaping  first 
towards  the  spot  where  the  incendiary's 
work  was  so  well  begun,  then  turned  in  the 
durection  that  the  wretch  had  gone.  Being 
first  assured  that  he  had  got  the  scent,  he 
rushed  forth  with  the  speed  of  the  wind. 

Meanwhile,  without  making  the  slightest 
disturbance,  I  examined  the  incendiary's 
plan  for  firing  the  house.  It  was  ingen- 
iously arranged — the  candle  would  have 
burned,  perhaps,  five  minutes,  when  the 
flame  would  have  reached  the  combustible 
pile  around  it,  and  vmder  ordinary  circum- 
stances the  villa  must  have  been  in  flames 
before  an  alarm  could  have  been  given. 

No  sooner  had  I  extinguished  the  candle 
than  I  heard  the  outcries  of  a  human  voice 
apparantly  in  distress.  A  pistol  shot  fol- 
lowed. I  feared  that  the  incendiary  had 
killed  the  faithful  animal,  for  neither  his 
bark  nor  growl  had  reached  my  ears  since 
he  started  in  pursuit  of  the  fugitive. 

My  mind  was  soon,  however,  relieved  in 
reo-ard  to  Growler,  for  in  less  than  five 
minutes  he  rc-appeared,  bearing  in  his 
mouth  a  large  portion  of  the  tail  of  a  coat, 
the  cut  of  which,  and  its  drab  color  was 
unmistakable. 

It  surely  identified  Obadiah  Tomlinson, 
the  Quaker ! 

The  dog  held  it  up  before  me.  I  patted 
him  kindly  on  the  head,  and  took  it  from 
his  moutht  He  then  crouched  down  upon 
the  verandah,  as  if  he  had  resolved  not  to  go 
back  to  the  kennel,  but  to  perform  a  senti- 
nel's duty  for  the  remainder  of  that  night, 
a  determination  which  I  did  not  remonstrate 
against. 

After  brushing  the  incendiary  pile  from 
the  verandah,  I  once  more  retired  to  the 
solitude   of  my   chamber,  and  kept  vigil 


until  the  dawn  of  day,  when  I  was  enabled 
to  obtain  an  hour  or  two  ot   sleep. 

It  had  been  my  intention  to  re-visit  the 
town  on  that  day,  but  for  prudential  reasons 
I  resolved  to  remain  at  the  villa.  I  com- 
municated to  no  one  the  occurrence  of  the 
preceding  night,  but  after  partaking  of  the 
breakfast,  which  was  served  me  at  nine 
o'clock,  I  repaired  to  the  boudoir,  deter- 
mined to  pursue  the  task  of  analyzing  all 
the  important  entries  in  Obadiah  Tomlinson's 
portly  folios  that  was  possible,  and  then 
forthwith  to  despatch  them  by  Cufiee  to  the 
office  of  Wm.  Barnwell,  Pearl  Street, 
Jackson,  with  notes  of  all  the  gi-oss  and 
glaring  attempts  at  fraud  which  I  had 
already  discovered,  or  might  discover,  in  my 
further  investigation. 

The  task  occupied  my  time  diligently 
until  two  o'clock,  and  after  writing  a  brief 
explanatory  note  for  not  being  able  to  call 
in  person  until  another  day,  I  summoned 
Cufiee  to  my  aid. 

'  I  wish  you  to  make  a  neat  package  of 
those  books.  Here  are  paper  and  twine,' 
said  I 

'  Ees,  missus.' 

'  And  when  you  have  done  that,  harness 
the  horse  into  the  carriage,  and  convey 
them  to  the  office  of  William  Barnwell,  No. 
—  Pearl  Street,  Jackson. 

'Ees,  missus;  Cuffee  know'd  whar  dat 
laryer  keep.  But  dese  look  for  all  de  world 
like  ole  Tomly's  books.' 

'  They  are  his  books ;  but  they  must  not 
go  into  his  hands,  but  into  the  hands  of  Mr. 
Barnwell.' 

'  Golly !  I  un'stan',  missus.  I  duzn't 
like  to  go  to  ole  Tomly's  house.  Dat 
ole  chap — I  ax  pardon  missus,  but  I  be- 
liebe  dat  ole  chap's  no  better  dan  some 
niggas.' 

'  What  do  you  know  about  him,  Cufiee?  ' 

'  Nuffin  much,  missus  ;  ouy  ebryting  hab 

gone  wi'ong  end  fo'moss  at  Magnoly  eber 

sence  my  poo'  ole  dead  an'  gone  massa  gib 

up  de  reins  ob  bizness  to  de  Quaker.' 


60 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


'  By-the-bye,  Cuffee,  did  you  hear  any 
strange  noises  about  the  premises  last 
night?' 

'  Nuffin  strange,  missus ;  but  I  heard 
Growler  baric,  arid  wlien  I  seed  him  out  ob 
de  kon'l  dis  mornin'  at  daylight,  I  know'd 
some  ebil  sperits  wur  roun'.' 

'  Do  you  know  whore  that  piece  of  drab 
cloth  came  from,  Cuffee?  ' 

'  He,  he,  he,  yah  !  '  laughed  the  negro, 
as  he  took  the  reumant  in  his  hand.  '  I 
axes  pardon,  missus,  but  I  can't  help 
laffiu — he,  he,  he !  Golly,  if  dat  ar  don't 
look  jess  like  ole  Tomly's  coat  tail,  den  I 
duzn't  know  a  brack  sheep  from  a  white 
'un.' 

'  How  think  you  he  lost  it? ' 
'  Golly,  missus,  dat  am't  so  easy  to  tell,' 
answered  Cuffee,  as  with  glistening  eyes  he 
examined  every  part  of  the  remnant.      '  He, 
he,  he  ! — golly  !  whew ! — if  I  were  only  a 
Yankee  nigga,  I  guesses  I  could  guess.' 
'  Well,  guess,  Cuffee.' 
'  Lordy,  missus,  ony  tink  ob  it ;  yah,  yah, 
yah !  ' 

'  Don't  be  so  boisterous  in  your  mirth,' 
said  I,  checking  an  unusually  loud  outbreak 
of  laughter.  '  Lot  me  know  what  you 
think.' 

'  I  tinks,  missus,  or  radder  I  guesses,  dat 
dat  'ar  coat  tail  hab  been  in  Growler's 
mouf ;  he,  he,  he  !  yah,  yah,  yah  ! ' 

'  But  Growler  was  in  his  kennel  last  night 
when  the  Quaker  left  the  house,  was  he  not  ?  ' 
'  Eos,  missus,  Cuffee  can  swar  to  dat 
fack;butl  tinks  he  muss  come  back,  and 
de  dog  got  out  somehow  or  noder,  and  tink- 
ing  ole  Tomly  no  bizness  '  bout  here  artcr 
fooks  hab  gone  to  bed,  so  he  tuk  it  into  his 
head  to  fly  at  him,  and  bit  off  his  coat  tail. 
He,  he,  he,  yah! ' — dat's  wot  I  tinks  ! ' 

'  Did  you  notice  a  quantity  of  faggots 
near  the  verandah  when  you  was  brushing 
up  around  the  house  this  morning  ?  ' 

'  Ees,  missus,  and  I  hab  been  '  cratchin  ' 
my  wool  all  do  mornin  '  to  tink  how  dat '  ar 


bru.sh  cum  'd  dar.  I  axed  eberybody,  and 
eberybody  didn't  know'd  no  more'n  I  did.  ' 
'  Suj)pose,  Cuffee,  '  said  I,  "producing  the 
piece  of  candle  that  I  had  secured  from  the 
incendiary's  pilo^  '  that  you  had  found  this 
in  the  centre  of  a  bundle  of  faggots  lighted, 
and  the  bundle  had  been  placed  on  the  ver- 
andali  near  the  light  trellis-work ;  what 
should  you  think  of  such  a  circum.stancc  ? ' 

'  Gorra,  bress  us,  missus,  you  almos ' 
fright  ole  Cuffee  ! '  he  exclaimed,  his  eyes 
starting  from  their  sockets.  '  Why,  I 
should  tink,  missu.? — I  should  tink  dat 
somebody  was  gwine  to  sot  de  hou.so  on  fire 
and  burn  eberybody  all  up.  But,  missus, 
you  don't  mean  for  to  go  to  tell  dat  de  dog 
— dat  ole  Tomly — dat  dcm  'ar  sticks^-dat 
— oh,  lordy  massy,  missus — I — I — I — , 

'  I  mean  simply  to  say  that  an  attempt 
was  made  to  fire  the  house  last  night,  '  said 
I,  interrupting  Cuffee's  confused  words; 
'  and  that  the  incendiary  was  none  other 
than  the  steward  of  ]Maguolia  Villa ;  and, 
moreover,  had  I  not  discovered  the  wretch's 
intention,  the  house  and  all  therein  might 
have  been  destroyed.  It  was  I  who  let 
loose  Growler  upoij  the  man  who  would 
have  destroyed  us,  and  he  returned  with  his 
coat  tail,  a  most  corroborative  circumstance 
of  the  evidence  of  my  own  senses,  that  the 
Quaker  is  the  criminal. ' 

The  negro  was  silent  for  some  moments. 
The  enormity  of  Tomlinson's  premeditated 
crime  quite  staggered  him  ;  for  he  had  been 
taught  to  look  upon  the  man  of  peace  as  a 
pattern  of  morality,  Ho  had  never  liked  his 
stern,  rigid  ways,  but  had  never  suspected 
him  capable  of  the  slightest  wrong  doin". 

'  I  speck  de  world  won't  lass  much  long- 
er, missus.'  at  length  said  Cuffee,  quietly, 
as  he  proceeded  to  give  tlie  fiijishing  stroke 
to  his  task  of  tying  up  the  package  of  books. 
'  Lordy,  migsus,  I  wonder  what  ole  Tomly 
wants  for  to  burn  us  all  up  ?  If  he  be  de 
debil  hescf  den  I  un'stan'.' 

'  I  will  tell  you  Cuffee.  The  mystery 
lies  in  these  books.      He  wished  to  destroy 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


61 


them,  because  they  prove  that  ho  has  been  I 
an  unfaithful  steward.' 

'Now  I  un'stan'.     Golly,    missus,  you 
know  eberyting.' 

'  I  know  too  much  fof  this  dangerous  man, 
Cuffee  ;  and  to  place  these  books  beyond  his 
reach  is  now  my  purpose.  Once  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Barnwell,  he  will  see  that  they 
are  made  secure  from  robbers  or  incendiaries. ' 
'  Ees,  missus,  I  go  direc'ly, '  rephed  the 
negro,  as  he  hastened  forth  to  harness  the 
horse  in  a  convenient  vehicle  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  the  package  to  town. 

Before  he  started  off  I  gave  him  some 
words  of  caution  in  regard  to  the  delivery 
of  the  books,  and  also  charged  him  to  make 
no  mention  to  any  person  that  which  I  had 
revealed  to  him. 

In  about  two  hours  he  returned,  bearing 
a  note  to  me  from  Mr.  Barnwell,  acknowl- 
edging the  receipt  of  the  books,  and  prom- 
ising to  exercise  to  his  utmost  all  the  legal 
ability  he  possessed  in  bringing  the  mon- 
strous practices  of  the  Quaker  to  light.  He 
likewise  informed  me  that  he  had  seen  Col. 
Lamar  prior  to  receiving  the  books. 

'  Golly,  missus,  I  rader  guess  ole  Tomly 
won't  be  roun  'here  agin  to-night, '  remark- 
ed CufFee,  after  I  had  thanked  him  for  per- 
forming his  mission  so  well. 
'  What  is  there  to  prevent  ? ' 
'  Kase  de  laryer  send  a  constable  arter 
him.' 

'  Arrested  so  soon  ?  ' 

'Ecs,    missus.     Massa  Barnwell  didn't 
low  de  grass  to  grow  under  his  feet.  ' 

'  What  disposition  did  he  make   of  the 
books  ?  ' 

'  Lock  'cm  up  in  a  big  iron  box.' 
'  Then  we  may  hope  to  sleep  secui-ly  to- 
night.' 

•  Ees,  missus,  you  go  to   sleep — Cuffee 
and  Growler  will  keep  watch.' 

'  There  will  be  no  necessity  for  such  vig- 
ilance,' said  I. 

'Bess  not  risk  anyting,  missus.      Ole 
Tomly'U  tiuk  dat  the  books  am  still  here. 


and  he  may  send  Massa   Poliphar  to  burn 
them  up  or  '  teal  em.' 

'  There's  no  danger  to  be  apprehended 
from  such  a  coward.' 

'  Dunno— bess  be  sartin— Potiphar  bery 
much  like  ole  man— don't  like  to  truss  none 
ob  dat  tribe  now,  no  how.' 

I  made  no  further  objections  to  Cuffee's 
proposition  to  keep  watch,  though  it  was 
scarcely  within  the  bounds  of  probability 
that  any  further  demonstrations  would  be 
made  to  destroy  the  books,  as  Tomlinson  if 
arrested,  would  be  informed  of  the  charges 
preferred  against  him,  and  also  that  the 
books  were  in  the  custody  of  Mr.  Barn- 
well. 

'  Cuffee,'  said  I,  preliminary  to  broach- 
ing a  new  subject,  '  how  long  have  you  been 
a  slave? ' 

'  Eber  sence  I  wur  a  pickaninny.' 
'  Did  you  ever  have  a  desire  to  be  free  ? ' 
'Lor  bress   us,  missus,  I  neber  hardly 
dared  to  tink  ob  it.' 

'  But  you  have  thought  of  it,  and  now 
answer  me,  frankly,  would  you  like  to  be  a 
freeman  ? ' 

'  Freedom  am  a  good  ting  am't  it  ? '  he 
enquired,  evasively. 

'  I  confess  that  I  shouldn't  like  to  be  a 
slave ;  but  you  haven't  answered  my  (ques- 
tion.' 

'Wal,  'spose  wite  man  tink  freedom  am 
good  ting  for  wite  man,  brack  man  tink 
freedom  good  ting  for  brack  man.' 

'  Then  I  take  it  for  granted  that  you  de- 
sire to  be  a  freeman  ?  ' 

'  I  ax  pardon,  missus,  but  Cuffee  would- 
n't tell  a  lie  to  gain  his  freedom.  I  hope 
some  day  or  odor  to  be  free  and   dat  am  a 

fac ! ' 

'How  lono-   since   you  entertained  this 

hope  ? ' 

'  Eber  sence  de  bobalition  war  bruk  out. ' 
'  Then  you  expect  to  be  liberated  through 

the  success  of  the  Yankees  ?  ' 

'  Ees,  missus — I  can't  tell  a  lie. ' 
'  And  you  hope  they  will  succeed  ?  ' 


62 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


'  If  I  answer  dat,  missus,  won't  somebody 
hang  or  slioot  poo'  Cuffee  ?  ' 

'  You  may  answer  it  only  to  mc,  and  you 
may  rely  upon  my  word  that  no  harm  shall 
befall  you.  ' 

'  Den,  missus,  I  muss  say  dat  I  hab  long 
wished  to  be  free.  I  hab  prayed  a  tousand 
times  to  be  free  !  ' 

'  And,  CufFee,  you  shall  be  free  ! ' 
'  Golly,  missus,  don't  say  dat  ar'  widout 
you  mean  it ;  'case  I  couldn't  bear  to  be- 
licbe  tliat  I  should  no  longer  be  a  slabe, 
and  den  hab  it  turn  out  oderwise — dat 
would  break  Cuffee's  heart !  ' 

'Keep  your  own  counsel — be  directed 
wholly  by  mc — lisp  not  a  word  of  our  con- 
versation to  any  human  being,  and  I  may 
serve  you ;  but  you  must  remember  that 
freedom  is  not  worth  much  to  a  ne"-ro  in 
the  South.' 

'I  know'd  dat,  missus.' 
•And  to   enjoy  your   freedom  you  must 
get  beyond  slave-dealers  and  slave-drivers.' 
'  Ees,    missus,    dat  '  xacly   what  I    been 
taught  to  beliebe.' 

'In  the  course  of  three  days  I  inten4 
going  to  Vicksburg,  to  visit  a  friend  that  I 
have  tliere,  I  wish  to  take  a  faithful  servant 
with  me  and  if  he  serves  me  well  he  shall 
be  free ! ' 

'  Golly,  missus,  won't  you  be  'fraid  ob  de 
Yankee  shot  and  bumshell  dar?  Dey  say 
de  Yanks  all  aroun'  Vicksburg — tousands 
ob  dem ! ' 

'  I  have  little  to  fear  from  them,  Cuffee  ; 
they  would'ut  harm  a  lady,  nor  you  if  we 
chanced  to  fjxU  into  their  hands,  especially 
as  I  have  dwelt  so  long  among  them. ' 

'  So  I  tink,  missus ;  dey  aint  hafF  so  bad 
as  de  grey  sojers  would  hab  us  tink.' 

Having  thus  elicited  from  the  old  negro 
his  real  sentiments,  I  was  prepared  to  pro- 
pose to  him  to  accompany  me  to  the  be- 
leagured  strongh.old  of  the  rebels ;  and  when 
I  did  so,  old  as  he  was,  he  danced  about 
the  room  in  such  great  glee,  that  I  was  com- 
pelled to  admonish  him,  lest  the  cause  of  his 


jollity  should  be  ascertained  by  the  servants 
in  and  about  the  house,  He  was  then  aa 
demure  as  I  could  desire,  and  during  our 
further  stay  at  Magnolia  Villa  no  one  could 
have  suspected  from  his  language  or  his  de- 
meanor that  he  entertained  a  first  thouo-ht 
beyond  the  boundaries  of  the  estate  on  which 
he  was  born  and  bred  and  toiled,  till  sixty 
summers  had  whitened  his  head. 


CHAPTER     XII. 

POTIPHAR  IN  GREAT  TRIBULATIOX.   ODADIAIl's 
CONFESSION.       THE  DEFENCES  OF  JACKSON. 

WiiHTUER  it  was  in  consequence  of  a  feel- 
ing of  security,  or  because  I  had  kept  vigil 
the  preceoding  night,  that  I  profoundly  slept 
for  twelve  hours  without  awakening,  I  am 
unable  to  say;  but  ten  o'clock  had  struck 
before  I  awoke  on  the  morning  subsequent 
to  my  interview  with  Cuiiee. 

As  this  was  the  hour  I  had  ordered  him 
to  have  the  vehicle  at  the  door  to  take  mo 
to  town,  and  as  he  was  punctual  to  the  mo- 
ment, I  hastily  made  my  toilet,  partook  of 
some  slight  refreshment,  and  took  my  depar- 
ture. 

As  we  rolled  down  the  avenue  I  saw  Pot- 
ii^har   Tomlinson   approaching,  and  as    he 
made   signs   indicating    that   he   wished  to 
speak  to  me,  I  ordered  Cuffee  to  stop.     I 
readily  observed   that   his  countenance  be- 
trayed  great  tribulation,   and  as  he  came 
alongside  the  veliiele  he  burst  into  tears. 
'  Wliat  is  the  matter,  Potiphar  V  '  I  asked. 
He  answered,  sobbingly  : 
'  My  father — Obadiah — has  sent  me  to 
thee — to  say  that — great  is  the  trouble  that 
hath  befallen  him — verily,  he  is  in  the  hands 
of  the   law — ay,  confintd  in  a  dungeon — 
and  he  begs  of  thee,  for  the   love  he  bore 
thy  honored  father — for  the   love  that  he 
beareth  thee — that  thou  wilt  deign,  like  a 
good  angel,  to  visit  him  in  prison,  and  give 
him  a  word  of  comfort  and  consolation ; — ay, 
verily,  this  is  my  errand  from  him  to  thee !  ' 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


63 


*  Be  of  good  cheer,  Potipliar,'  I  replied. 
'  I  am  now  ou  my  way  to  town  and  will  visit 
him  belltre  I  return.' 

'  Thanks,  good  lady ;  thy  words  hath 
almost  turned  my  grief  into  joy.  Verily,  I 
shall  go  to  my  homo  with  a  much  lighter 
heart  than  when  I  sat  out  to  come  to  thee,' 
said  Potiphar,  seemingly  much  satislied  with 
my  answer. 

As  he  was  disposed  to  make  no  further 
conversation  we  proceeded  on  to  Jackson, 
and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  afterwards,  I 
had  introduced  myself  to  Mr.  Barnwell, 
and  was  seated  in  his  private  office,  explain- 
ing to  him  the  discoveries  I  had  made  with 
reference  to  the  books  I  had  sent  him,  but  I 
studiously  avoided  to  make  mention  of  the 
incendiary  attempt  of  the  delinquent.  He 
said  that  he  was  quite  amazed  at  the  revel- 
ation, for  hitherto  no  man  in  town  bore  a 
higher  reputation  for  probity  than  Obadiah 
Tomlinson,  and  he  further  remarked  that 
nothing  less  than  the  most  undoubted  testi- 
mony would  ever  convict  him  of  embezzle- 
ment before  a  Hinds  County  jury. 

'  I  will  cause  him  to  make  full  and  free 
confession  of  his  fraud,  and  also  to  make 
restitution  of  every  dollar  that  he  has  wrong- 
fully taken  from  the  Magnolia  estate,'  said 
I,  in  reply. 

'  If  you  can  do  this  you  will  have  but  little 
need  of  one  of  my  profession,'  said  Mr. 
Barnwell. 

'  That  confession  and  restitution,  sir,  I 
desire  to  have  made  to  you ;  and  as  I  am 
soon  to  leave  Jackson  on  a  visit  to  Vicks- 
burg,  I  wish  to  leave  with  you  full  author- 
ity to  act  in  the  premises.' 

'  I  accept  the  trust,  and  will  act  for  you 
with  as  much  zeal  as  if  the  property  was  to 
inure  to  me,  instead  of  to  my  fair  client,' 
was  his  reply. 

He  proposed  drawing  up  a  Power  of  At- 
torney for  me  to  sign,  but  knowing  that  I 
could  not  append  to  such  a  document  the 
autograph   of  the   heiress  of  Magnolia,    I 


made  as  plausible  an  excuse  for  declinin'>-  to 
do  so  as  possible. 

I  was  about  to  leave  the  office,  when  ho 
placed  in  my  hands  a  letter.  I  opened  it 
with  no  little  curiosity,  but  finding  it  to  be 
a  brief  note  from  Colonel  Lamar,  enclosing 
a  pass  thi-ough  the  lines  to  Vieksburg  from. 
the  commanding  general  of  that  department, 
my  curiosity  was  satisfied  and  my  fears  were 
allayed. 

At  my  solicitation,  Mr.  Barnwell  gave 
me  a  letter  to  the  chief  officer  of  the  prison 
where  Tomlinson  was  confined.  I  thanked 
him  for  his  courtesy,  and  for  the  interest  he 
had  manifested  in  behalf  of  the  heiress  of 
Magnolia,  and  left  his  office.  Cuflfee  was 
quite  startled  when  I  ordered  him  to  drive 
to  the  Hinds  County  Prison,  but  he  made 
no  remonstrance  or  enquiries,  aud  in  a  few 
minutes  we  had  reached  its  portals. 

Presenting  the  letter  which  the  attorney 
had  given  me,  I  was  readily  admitted,  and 
the  jailor  himself,  with  marked  politeness, 
conducted  me  to  the  grated  door  of  the  cell, 
in  which  the  culprit  was  incarcerated,  and 
then  walked  to  the  farther  end  of  the  corri- 
dor, as  if  he  designed  to  show  me  the  favor 
of  declining  to  be  a  listener  to  our  conver- 
sation. 

'  Good  morning,  Obadiah,'  said  I,  salu- 
ting him ;  '  I  regret  to  find  you  in  a  prison. 
I  have  seen  your  son  Potiphar,  and  by 
his  urgent  desire  I  am  here.' 

'  I  thank  thee,  lady,  for  thy  kindness  and 
consideration,'  replied  the  Quaker  humbly. 
'  I  did  desire  to  see  thee,  and  therefore  made 
my  wishes  known  to  Potiphar.  Verily  it 
breaketh  my  spirit  to  abide  ia  the  dwelling 
of  the  criminal,  and  my  days  are  but  few 
unless  I  am  released.' 

'  And  you  sent  for  me  believing  that  I 
have  the  power  to  set  you  free  ? '  said  I, 
enquiringly. 

'  In  that  thou  speakest  truly  ;  for  I  have 
learned  that  it  is  at  thy  suit  that  I  have  been 
arrested.' 


64 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


'  I  confess  it  and  for  sundry  good  rea- 
sons.' 

'  Thine  car,  good  lady,  I  fear  hath  been 
poisoned  1  >y  my  enemies. ' 

'  Do  not  credit  the  thought,  Obadiah. 
]VIy  eyes,  and  my  understanding  have  re- 
vealed to  nic  that  you  have  been  a  most  un- 
faithful stcnvard.  And  the  charges  under 
which  you  are  arrested  are  as  well  known 
to  you  as  to  myself ' 

'  Wilt  then  please  state  them.' 

'  Perjury  in  falsifying  your  sworn  trust ; 
embezzlement  of  large  amounts  of  money 
belonging  to  the  jMagnolia  estate  ;  making 
false  entries  on  your  books ;  besides  other 
venial  offences  which  a  legal  investigation 
will  bring  to  light ! ' 

'  In  verity  thy  eyes  and  thy  understand- 
ing hath  deceived  thee.  Hadst  thou  per- 
mitted nie  to  explain  thou  wouldst  have 
saved  thj-sclf  a  world  of  trouble,  and,  also, 
Obadiah  Tomliiison  the  disgrace  and  dis- 
comfort of  being  incarcerated  like  a  felon  in 
the  prison-house  of  the  guilty.  But  I  for- 
give thee,  fair  and  sweet  damsel — I  forgive 
thee  !  I  will  bide  my  time  with  patience, 
for  justice  wilt  sooner  or  later  proclaim  my 
innocence.' 

'  Do  you  deny  that  you  have  wronged 
the  heiress  of  Magnolia?  ' 

'  Verily,  thou  hast  had  mine  answer.' 

'Do  you  here  dcclai-e  that  you  are  inno- 
cent of  any  malpractice  whatever  touching 
the  estate  entrusted  to  youi*  keeping.' 

'  Ay,  verily. ' 

'  And  I  must  leave  the  prison  with  your 
solemn  denial  ? ' 

'  Verily  truth  is  mighty  and  ever  prevail- 
eth.' 

'  And  you  will  make  no  confession  of  any 
wrong-doing  ? ' 

*  To  confess  that  I  have  been  guilty  of 
doing  wrong  would  in  verity  be  a  sin,  for  a 
lie  would  rest  upon  my  soul ;  therefore  I 
will  commit  no  sin,  and  say  again  I  am 
innocent  ?  ' 

'  Lying  hypocrite  !    knave  I  swindler  !  I 


have  proofs  as  strong  as  holy  writ  of  the 
charges  I  have  preferred  ?  '  t^aid .  I,  becom- 
ing indignant  at  the  manner  in  which  my 
queries  were  answered. 

'  Verily,  maiden,  thou  dost  abuse  thyself 
in  such  free  use  of  thy  defamatory  tongue; 
but  I  will  not  be  angry  ;  I  will  grieve  that 
thou  art  possessed  of  a  wicked  spirit !  Thou 
hast  dwelt  too  long  in  the  land  of  the  bar- 
barians of  the  North,  and  hath  learned  their 
evil  ways.  As  the  favored  off>pring  of  my 
dear  friend,  the  lamented  Mr.  3Iarland,  it 
is  my  duty  to  correct  thy  headstrong,  way- 
ward and  suspicious  nature ;  and  when  I 
shall  have  been  released  from  this  vile 
durance  I  shall  commence  my  teachings  as 
becometh  a  friend  and  a  guardian.' 

'  Do  not  deceive  yourself,  Ol^adiah,  I  am 
not  to  be  thwarted  in  my  purposes  by  your- 
persistent  denials  of  the  charges  which  are 
alleged  against  you ;  and  before  I  leave  I 
give  you  wai'ning  that  I  shall  go  before  a 
magistrate  and  allege  a  far  gieater  charge 
against  you  than  any  which  I  have  yet 
made.  Night  before  last  an  attempt  was 
made  to  ensure  the  destruction  of  IMagnoUa 
Villa  by  fire.' 

'  Thee  amazeth  me  ! ' .  said  Obadiah,  with 
tremulous  lips,  and  a  guilty  expression  of 
countenance. 

'  Do  I  ?  You  will  be  more  amazed  when 
I  tell  you  that  suspicion  points  to  you  as 
the  would-be  incendiary  !  ' 

'  Heaven  knoweth  it  would  amaze  me, 
indeed  I  But  he  that  is  conscious  of  having 
done  no  wi'ong  hath  nought  to  fear.  It  is 
the  first  intelligence  I  have  learned  that 
so  base  a  crime  hath  been  attempted.' 

'  Do  you  dare  make  denial  that  you  did 
not  attempt  with  your  own  hands  to  set  fire 
to  the  Villa?' 

'  I  dareth  even  to  speak  the  truth.' 

'  Then  confess  ;  for  with  my  own  eyes  I 
beheld  you  in  the  very  act  of  heaping  the 
faggots  upon  the  verandah,  and  I  also  saw 
you  strike  the  match  with  which  you  hghted 
the  fragment  of  candle  which  was  to  fii'e  the 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


66 


pile,  when  you  had  reached  a  convenient 
distance  from  the  scene  of  your  daring 
crime ! ' 

'  Monstrous  !  ay,  verily,  most  monstrous  ! ' 
exclaimed  the  Quaker,  now  a  good  deal 
agitated.  '  Methinks  thou  art  come  from  a 
madhouse,  and  deserveth  pity  rather  than 
my  sjorn  or  anger  ! ' 

'  What  I  have  stated  can  be  proved,  I 
replied,  quietly.  '  The  pistol  that  was  fired 
at  the  dog,  Growler,  has  been  found,  and 
can  be  identified  as  the  one  that  has  been  in 
your  possession  ! ' 

'  I  am  a  man  of  peace  and  I  beareth  not 
deadly  weapons.  Miss  Marietta,'  he  replied 
in  a  subdued  manner. 

'  You  forget,  Obadiah,  the  pistol  that 
you  flourished  on  a  recent  occasion  before 
Colonel  Lamar.' 

'  That  was  but  the  semblance  of  a  dan- 
gerous weapon ;  for  it  contained  no  explo- 
sive material,  neither  did  it  contain  a  leaden 
sphere,  which  the  men  of  war  denominateth 
a  bullet.' 

'  The  pistol  is  not  the  only  corroborative 
testimony  which  will  be  preferred  against 
you.  Know  you  this  drab  coat-tail  ?  '  said 
I,  suddenly  producing  the  remnant  of  cloth 
which  Growler  had  torn  from  his  outer  gar- 
ment. 

Obadiah  staggered  back  a  few  paces,  and 
turned  his  eyes  from  the  damnifying  evi- 
dence. 

'  It  will  not  serve  you,'  I  continued,  '  to 
deny  that  this  was  not  torn  from  your  gar- 
ment in  your  hasty  flight  on  the  night  of 
your  nefarious  attempt  at  arson  and  mur- 
der 1 ' 

For  some  moments  the  culprit  was  speech- 
less. At  length  he  came  forward  to  the 
grating  of  the  prison,  his  face  looking  the 
very  picture  of  despair,  and  said  : 

'  Verily,  the  Evil  Spirit  did  move  me  to 
do  unrighteous  deedd.  Forgive  me,  I  pray 
thee,  for  I  have  sorely  repented  ;  and  it  is  a 
great  comfort  to  nly  erring  soul  that  I  was 
frustrated  in  my  diabolical  design.' 


'  Look  to  Heaven  for  forgiveness,  wicked 
man  !  What  could  have  been  your  motive 
in  conceiving  so  great  a  crime  ?  ' 

'  I  do  most  humbly  confess  that  I  did 
design  to  destroy  those  books  which  I  did 
unwittingly  leave  in  thy  possession.' 

'And  in  destroying  a  few  paltry  booka 
you  would  have  jeopardized  the  lives  of  all 
the  inmates  of  the  Villa  ?  ' 

'  So  it  doth  seem  to  me  now,  but  so 
horrible  a  contingency  my  mind  dwelt  not 
upon.' 

'  The  destruction  of  those  books,  then, 
was  your  motive  ?  ' 

'  I  do  confess  it.' 

'  And  by  their  destruction,  the  evidence 
of  many  gross  frauds  would  have  been 
lost?' 

'  Even  so ;  but,  oh !  Miss  Marietta,  for- 
give me,  and  it  shall  be  well  with  thee.  I 
will  make  restitution  of  much  ill-gotten 
wealth,  which  will  render  thee  the  richest 
heiress  of  the  country.' 

'  Do  you  promise  this  ? ' 

*  Ay,  verily,  if  thou  wilt  let  me  depart 
from  this  vile  prison  in  peace.' 

'  Will  you  swear  it  ?  ' 

'  By  Him  who  seeth  in  secret  and  know- 
eth  my  wicked  heart,  I  will ! ' 

'  Then,  in  one  hour  hence,  an  officer 
shall  come  for  you  and  take  you  to  the 
office  of  Mr.  Attorney  Barnwell,  who  has 
my  full  authority  to  receive  from  you  all  the 
property,  or  the  value  thereof,  together  with 
interest,  that  you  have  wrongfully  withheld 
from  the  heiress  of  Magnolia  Villa.  I  shall 
not  be  present  at  the  restitution  ;  but  mark 
you,  if  one  dollar  be  wrongfully  withheld, 
remember  that  I  possess  the  power  to  bring 
you  to  the  gallows  !  But  if  full  restitution 
be  made,  I  give  you  my  word  that  the 
charges  of  perjury  and  embezzlement  will  be 
withdrawn,  and  you  shall  never  hear  more 
of  those  two  great  offijnces,  arson  and  mur- 
der! ' 

'  I  humbly  bow  to  the  decree ;  and  I 
shall  count  the   minutes  that  interveneth 


66 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    VIE 


before  the  time  when  I  may  acquit  my  sinful 
soul  of  that  which  the  Mammon  god  hath 
incited.' 

'  Be  assured  that  in  the  fullesi  confession 
and  restitution  lies  thy  safety.     Farewell ! ' 

These  words  ended  my  interview  witli  the 
Quaker.  The  jailer,  who  had  awaited  my 
pleasure,  came  forward  and  conducted  me 
to  his  office.  I  asked  permission  to  write  a 
note  to  Mr  Barnwell,  which  the  officer 
kindly  granted,  and  then  he  voluntarily 
procured  me  a  messenger  to  bear  it  to  the 
attorney. 

I  left  the  prison  with  a  much  lighter  heart 
than  I  entered  it,  for  I  had  a  decided  repug- 
nance in  again  meeting  face  to  face  with  the 
consummate  hypocrite.  I  had  unmasked 
his  villanies,  and  in  doing  so,  I  felt  that  I 
had  done  a  great  service  in  behalf  of  a 
wronged  lady  ;  and  she,  I  felt  sure,  would 
at  some  future  day  forgive  even  a  Yankee 
gu-1  for  playing  her  part  a  few  days  at  Mag- 
nolia Villa. 

In  leaving  the  prison  I  saw  at  a  distance 
two  mounted  horsemen  approaching.  As 
they  drew  nearer  I  recognized  the  faces  of 
Colonel  Lamar  and  Captain  Clymer.  The 
recognition  was  mutual,  for  they  immedi- 
ately halted  beside  the  carriage  and  saluted 
me. 

Cuffee  also  drew  rein,  and  I  was  soon 
engaged  in  an  animated  conversation  with 
the  two  officers. 

Colonel  Lamar  finally  remarked  that  he 
wa-s  on  a  tour  of  brief  inspection  of  the 
defences  of  the  city,  and  politely  proffered 
the  services  of  both  to  be  my  escort  in  and 
around  the  works. 

My  heart  eagerly  accepted  the  invitation, 
but  my  tongue  gave  a  reluctant  assent ;  and 
soon  the  cun'icle,  with  an  officer  riding  upon 
each  side,  was  rolling  on  towards  Pearl 
River,  where  the  inner  line  of  defences 
commenced. 

Both  officers  were  communicative  as  well 
as  polite  ;  and  without  seeming  to  be  inquis- 
itive, I  drew  from  them  all  the  information 


which  was  not  obvious  to  my  own  under- 
standinn^,  that  I  desired.  For  three  lonir 
hours  I  bore  the  inspection ;  was  introduced 
to  many  officers ;  heard  many  ob.^crvations 
connected  with  the  plans  of  operations  to 
defeat  the  '  accursed  Yankee?,'  which  were 
not  intended  for  any  but  rebel  ears ;  and, 
in  truth  I  was  both  pleased  and  instructed  ; 
and  it  was  with  a  good  grace,  from  a  grate- 
ful heart,  that  I  tliankcd  the  gentlemen  fur 
their  exceeding  kindness  and  courtesy  before 
I  finally  parted  with  them. 

I  had  treasured  up  in  my  memory  a  store 
of  knowledge  wliich  must  be  retained,  and 
lest  I  should  be  forgetful  of  some  important 
details,  I  told  Cuffee  to  drive  yie  to  t!:o 
Villa  with  all  possible  despatch,  for  I  h-.id 
much  to  commit  to  paper,  and  some  draw- 
ings to  make,  from  the  storcliouse  of  my 
memory,  before  I  could  take  that  vest  which 
my  weary  body  seemed  already  to  demand. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

AN     UNEXPECTED    VISITATION.       A     DILEMMA 
OVERCOME.       MY  DEPARTUUE. 

*  Is  this,  indeed,  to  be  my  last  night  at 
Magnolia  Villa  ? '  I  whispered  to  myself 
as  I  was  almost  irresistibly  drawn  from  my 
boudoir,  where  I  had  spent  two  long  hours 
in  wiiting  and  drawing,  and  half  an  hour 
more  in  sewing  the  results  of  my  evening's 
work  in  a  garment  of  my  wardrobe,  which  I 
thought  would  the  least  liicely  be  scrutinized 
should  any  misfortune  befal  me. 

*  How  beautiful ! '  I  continued,  solilo- 
quizing, as  I  gazed  upon  the  wide  land- 
scape, picturesque  in  all  its  aspects,  spread 
out  before  me.  'If  Eden  was  more  beauti- 
ful, no  wonder  they  called  it  Paradise.' 

The  moon  was  at  her  full,  and  seamed  to 
shine  with  unwonted  brilliancy.  The  starry 
constellations  paled  before  her  bright  efful- 
gence. The  earth  seemed  a  brighter  green, 
and  the  sky  a  deeper  blue,  than  they  had 
ever  appeared  to  my  eyes  before.     The  fra- 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


67 


granco  borne  from  the  orange  grove,  and 
fi-om  til e.  flowers  and  sjirubs  of  the  garden, 
made  a  more  delicious  compound  of  sweets 
than  my  senses  had  ever  greeted. 

Truly,  jMag'uolia  Villa  was  a  charming 
place  ;  everytliing  about  it  was  delectable ; 
and  is  it  surprising  then,  that  I  should  have 
felt  a  sli2;ht  reluctance  in  biddinjr  it  adieu 
forever  ?  I  confess  that  I  did — I  was 
almost  charmed  with  the  spot,  and  quite 
regretted  the  imperative  circumstances  which 
so  soon  must  call  me  away,  never  more  to 
feast  my  eyes  upon  its  charms. 

I  am  no  believer  in  mesmerism,  and  I 
laugh  at  the  mesmerist's  pretended  power, 
and  the  medium's  gift  to  know  of  things 
that  the  eye  cannot  see,  the  ear  cannot  hear, 
the  hand  cannot  feel.  But  an  incident  oc- 
curred to  me  that  night  which,  to  say  the 
least,  was  a  most  remarkable  coincidence. 
A  thought  of  Colonel  Lamar  obtruded  itself 
upon  my'mind — anon  I  almost  felt  he  stood 
before  me  ;  presently  his  image  was  so  seem- 
ingly palpable  in  my  presence,  that  I 
advau'-ed  a  step  and  extended  my  arm  to 
touch  him ;  but  the  vision  was  gone. 

Almost  on  the  instant  I  heard  the  gallop- 
ping  of  a  horse,  and  in  another  minute  the 
Eteed  turned  into  the  avenue  leading  to  the 
villa.  I  gazed  eagerly  at  the  rider — he 
was  an  officer  of  gallant  beaiing.  A  few 
Bteps  more,  and  horse  and  rider  emerged 
from  the  shadows  of  the  magnolia  trees,  and 
were  bathed  in  moonlight.  I  could  not  be 
mistaken — I  could  see  now — it  was  Colonel 
Lamar. 

The  distant  city  clock  struck  the  hour  of 
ten  as  he  leaped  from  the  saddle  and  stepjjed 
up  to  the  front  door  and  rang  the  bell. 

One  of  the  house  servants  answered  the 
Bummons,  and  the  suddenly-perturbed  ne- 
gress  sought  me,  and  informed  me  that  Col. 
Lamar  desired  to  speak  with  me,  as  he  was 
compelled  to  leave  for  hLs  post  early  next 
morning. 

I  think  I  had  really  more  cause  to  be 
disturbed  by  this  untimely  visitor  than  the 


quaking  negress.  I  could  think  of  nothing 
else  than  that  he  had  obtained  some  new 
revelation  in  regard  to  my  humble  self. 
But  something  whispered  to  me  that  I 
really  had  nothing  to  fear  from  this  man,  no 
matter  what  information  ho  might  havo 
received.  I  must  confess  that,  at  each  suc- 
cessive interview  I  had  ,had  with  him,  be 
won  a  greater  degi'ee  of  my  favorable  regard. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  his  first  interview 
with  me  was  of  a  character  not  to  inspire  me 
with  any  great  regard  for  the  man.  Per- 
haps the  abrupt  manner  in  which  I  discour- 
aged his  first  overtures,  caused  him  radically 
to  change  his  bearing  towards  me.  Now, 
it  was  all  that  a  modest  girl  could  have 
desired — courteous,  respectful,  and  not  ot 
fensively  gallant. 

But  not  to  digress  farther,  I  hastened 
down  to  meet  him,  without  a  particle  of  fear 
agitating  my  breast. 

'  Pardon  me.  Miss  Marland  for  calling 
upon  you  at  this  late  hour,'  said  he  in  the 
most  I'espoctful  manner  :  '  but ' 

'Pray  be  seated,  sir,'  said  I.  '  If  the 
hour  is  late,  feel  assured  that  I  am  in  no 
way  inconvenienced  by  your  calling,  and  I 
bid  you  welcome.' 

'  Unfortunately,'  he  resumed, '  I  am  com- 
pelled to  leave  town  for  my  post  by  the 
early  morning  train.  My  orders,  which  com- 
pel me  to  this  haste  did  not  reach  me  but 
half  an  houi*  since.  You  may  deem  it 
strange,  that  I  have  ridden  here,  post-haste, 
to  announce  this  fact  to  you.  Why  ?  is  the 
query  which  your  heart  naturally  prompts 
you  to  put.  In  your  great  kindness  you 
have  caused  Obadiah  Tomlinson  to  be  re- 
leased from  prison.  Since  then,  until  the 
past  two  hours,  he  was  closeted  with  ray 
brother-in-law,  Mr.  Barnwell,  the  attorney, 
where  he  made,  on  compulsion,  a  full  res- 
titution of  his  enormous  peculations,  cover- 
ing a  series  of  years,  from  the  estate  of 
which  you  are  sole  heiress.  Notwithstand- 
ing this,  Quaker  as  he  professes  to  be,  he 
now  swears  to  be  avenged,     He  has  stated 


68 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


this  evening  to  afriend,of  mine  that  he  has 
by  the  last  mail  received  a  letter  from  Miss 
Marietta  Marland,  who  he  declares,  is  still 
pursuing  her  studies  at  the  Female  Semi- 
nary within  the  country  of  our  enemies. 
This  letter,  my  friend  asserts,  he  saw  and 
read  with  his  own  eyes.  In  a  word,  Miss 
Marland,  he  says  you  are  an  impostor.' 

*  And  you,  colonel,  believe  him  ?  '  I  que- 
ried. 

"  Nay — I  at  once  assumed  that  the  letter 
is  a  forgery ;  but  I  felt  it  my  duty  to  come 
here  and  acquaint  you  with  the  fact,  that 
you  may  be  prepared  to  deal  with  your 
enemies.  When  military  power  holds  sway, 
even  innocence  is  not  safe.  Suspicion, 
groundless  though  it  may  be,  may  subject 
you  to  a  deal  of  trouble.' 

*  I  thank  you  for  your  timely  warning, 
colonel;  but  there  is  nothing  that  I  am 
aware  of  that  can  be  done  but  let  events 
take  their  course,  knowing  that  in  the  end 
my  position  is  secure,  and  that  my  enemies 
will  be  confounded.' 

I  am  aware  that  I  said  this  with  so  much 
sincerity  and  coolness,  that  if  there  was  the 
slightest  suspicion  lingering  in  the  mind  of 
the  colonel,  my  last  speech  had  entirely 
dissipated  it.  I  imagined  I  saw  that  his  heart 
was  relieved  of  a  weight  that  greatly  dis- 
tm'bed  him. 

'  As  you  remark,'  said  he,  after  a  few 
moments  reflection,  '  there  is  nothing  to  be 
done,  except  in  case  any  attempt  be  made 
to  annoy  you,  summon  Mr.  Barnwell  to 
your  aid.  I  have  already  spoken  to  him 
cf  Obadiah's  threats,  and  he  suggested  that 
if  you  adhered  to  your  resolution  to  visit 
Vicksburg,  that  you  should,  by  all  means, 
leave  in  his  possession  the  power  of  attor- 
ney.' 

I  think  I  must  have  blenched  a  little 
when  he  spoke  of  a  power  of  attorney ;  but 
fortunately  his  eye  at  the  moment  was  di- 
rected towards  the  carpet,  and  it  escaped 
his  notice. 

*  I  am  indeed,  grateful  for  the  kind  inter- 


est which  you  manifest  in  my  behalf,  at  this 
particular  juncture  in  my  affairs  ;  and  as  far 
as  possible  will  avail  myself  of  your  timely 
advice,'  said  I,  after  a  few  moments'  reflec- 
tion. '  As  for  the  hypocritical  Quaker,  I 
think,  since  he  has  been  so  thoroughly  un- 
masked, he  will  not  presume  again  to  resort 
to  any  more  diabolical  expedients  to  annoy 
me.' 

'  Still  I  fear  him.  Miss  Marland.  Hia 
exposure  will  only  make  him  more  desper- 
ate. Besides,  that  smooth-faced  son  of  his 
is  as  great  a  knave  as  his  father;  and  if  I 
am  rightly  informed,  his  sensitive  nature  is 
still  smarting  under  a  most  severe  infliction 
bestowed  upon  him  from  the  lips  of  a  certain 
young  lady,  to  whose  hand  in  marriage  he 
most  confidently  aspired.' 

'  I  fully  understand,  colonel,'  said  I, 
laughing,  in  spite  of  myself,  as  I  thought  of 
Potiphar's  ungainly  figure  standing  most 
awkwardly  before  me,  and  making  love  in  a 
manner  most  ludicrous  to  behold. 

'  Then  it  is  true  ? '   queried  the  colonel. 

'  I  confess  it ;  but  little  did  I  anticipate 
that  I  should  ever  hear  of  it  again  ' 

'  It  is  quite  a  topic  of  conversation  in  town  ; 
and  many  a  joke  is  made  in  connection,  at 
Potiphar's  expense.' 

'  I  am  quite  ashamed  to  think  of  it,'  said 
I,  petulantly.  '  To  be  made  love  to  by  a 
Quaker  booby  but  a  few  hours  after  I  had 
arrived  here,  and  before  I  had  exchanged  a 
dozen  words  with  the  intruder,  was  a  scene 
too  ridiculcfus  not  to  laugh  at,  and  too  seri- 
ous to  be  made  a  jest  of  by  outside  parties. 
Why,  I  shall  hardly  be  able  to  look  a  young 
gentleman  or  lady  in  the  face,  when  I  visit 
the  city,  without  blushing. ' 

'  But  the  jests  cannot  be  aimed  at  you,' 
remarked  Lamar. 

'  Still,  my  name  will  be  coupled  with  this 
booby  son  of  a  knavish  father,  whenever  the 
subject  is  mentioned,'  said  I. 

I  had  hardly  got  these  words  out  of  my 
mouth,  when  the  door-bell,  violently  rung, 
interrupted   further  conversation.     At  the 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


69 


same  moment,  Cuffoe,  who  had  been  taking 
Ciire  of  the  colonol's  horse,  rushed  in  by 
the  rear  door,  and  almost  breathlessly  ex- 
claimed : 

'  Golly,  missus,  ole  Massa  Tomly's  come, 
and  Massa  Potiphar,  and  anoder  gemlem  dat 
CufFee  duzn't  know.' 

My  heart  almost  leaped  into  my  mouth. 
What  coukl  they  be  here  for  at  this  late 
hour  of  the  evening  ?  My  peculiar  position 
and  Lamar's  warning  words,  now  gave  me 
cause  of  real  apprehension.  That  they  had 
come  to  denounce  me  as  an  impostor — as  a 
gjjy  perhaps, — perchance  to  arrest  me,  was 
a  thought  which  flashed  suddenly  athwart 
my  brain.  It  was  some  moments  before  I 
could  reassure  myself,  and  regain  my  wonted 
composure. 

'  What  can  they  want  here  at  this  time  of 
night  ?  '  I  demanded. 

'  Cuffee  duzn't  know,  Missee  Marian' ; 
but  I  spec  mischief.  Dar  am  alus  de  ole 
debble  to  pay  when  he's  aroun'.' 

Again  the  door-bell  rung. 

'  Go,  CuiFee,  and  see  what  they  want. ' 

The  negio  obeyed  the  summons  and  opened 
the  door,  when  in  marched  Obadiah  Tom- 
linson,  followed  by  Potiphar,  and  another 
man,  who  appeared  to  be  an  official  of  some 
sort,  without  heeding  Cuffee's  attempt  to 
enquire  into  the  nature  of  their  business. 

Colonel  Lamar  in  the  meantime  had 
withdrawn  to  an  adjoining  apartment. 

I  arose  and  boldly  confronted  the  knavish 
Quaker,  and  demanded  the  nature  of  their 
business,  and  why  they  had  obtruded  upon 
my  privacy  at  the  unreasonable  hour  of 
eleven  o'clock  at  night? 

'  I  will  not  desecrate  the  name  of  Miss 
Maiietta  Marland  by  giving  thee  that  virtu- 
ous and  much-honored  name,'  beo-an  Oba- 
diah,  straightening  himself  up  at  his  full 
height,  and  crossing  his  hands  upon  his 
breast.  '  My  spirit  doth  prompt  me  to  call 
thee  Jezebel,  but  I  will  not.  I  will  call 
thee  Female  !  Deceiver  !  Impostor  !  Thou 
art  not  what  thou  seemest !     Thou  art  no 


high-born  damsel  of  the  sunny  South  ;  but 
thou  art.,  as  I  suspecteth,  u  she-wolf  from  the 
realms  of  the  frozen  North;  and  like  a 
serpent,  thou  hast  stolen  into  this  Eden  to 
the  exclusion  ot  the  rightful  proprietor  of 
this  fair  domain.' 

'  Which  you,  vile  slanderer  and  knave, 
came  near  despoiling  her  of,'  said  I,  inter- 
rupting him,  and  speaking  courageously. 
'  Hence  !  away !  and  never  more  darken 
these  doors  with  thy  hateful  presence ;  or, 
as  there  is  a  law  against  embezzlement, 
robbery  and  arson,  you  shall  answer  for 
each  of  these  crimes.     Begone,  I  say  ! ' 

'  This  raving  becometh  thee  not  at  the 
moment  of  thy  downfall,'  resumed  the  Qua- 
ker. '  I  have  here  the  startling  proofs  that 
thou  art  not  what  thou  assumest  to  be.* 

'  Proofs  from  a  robber — a  perjured  vil- 
lain ! '  I  rephed.  '  I  heed  none  of  your  vile 
intrigues. ' 

'  It  were  better  for  thee  to  listen  to  Obar 
diah,  my  honored  father.  Miss  Marietta/ 
said  Potiphar,  in  a  soft,  persuasive  voice. 

'  Potiphar  !  Potiphar  !  beware  of  thy 
speech  !  '  counselled  the  elder.  '  Thou  for- 
gettest — this  woman  is  not  Miss  Marietta 
Marland — she  is  a  female  of  the  Jezebel 
stamp.' 

*  Female  of  the  Jezebel  stamp,'  resumed 
the  obedient  Potiphar ;  '  my  father  doth 
counsel  tbee  well ;  for  he  hath  a  letter ' 

'  Ay,  a  letter  from  the  rightful  heir  of  the 
Magnolia  estate,'  added  Obadiah  ;  '  a  letter 
that  will  confound  thee,  and  signed  by 
Marietta  Marland,  the  genuine.' 

'  A  forgery,  no  doubt,'  said  I ;  '  and  aa 
forgery  is  no  worse  than  the  many  crimes 
you  have  committed,  I  have  no  doubt  that 
you  are  a  forger,  as  well  as  a  robber  and  a 
house-burner. ' 

'  Such  grave  charges  will  not  serve  thee, 
female  ;  for  lo,  and  behold  !  here  is  anoth- 
er veritable  witness,  who  has  just  come 
from  the  country  of  our  enemies,  and  from 
the  seminary  of  learning,  where  he  did  have 
an  opportunity  of  convei-sing  with  the  real 


70 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


daughter  of  ray  old  friend,  to  whom  I  have 
been  a  faithful  steward  for  so  many  years.' 

'  Give  heed  to  the  witness,  I  do  abjure 
thee,  Miss  Mariettn — I  mean  Miss  Jezebel ; 
for  he  is  a  man  of  good  repute,  and  the  sin 
of  lying  doth  not  lie  upon  his  pure  soul,' 
said  Potiphar,  with  a  most  sanctimonious 
air. 

'  What  these  good  men  have  said,  I  will 
swear  to,'  said  the  third  man  of  the  Quaker's 
party. 

'  Therefore,  false  w»man,'  said  Obadiah, 
'  I  do  command  thee  to  follow  us  ;  for  this 
good  man  hath  authority  to  arrest  thee  and 
convey  thee  to  that  prison  in  which  thou 
didst  unjustly  incarcerate  me.  Or,  if  thou 
wilt  make  amends  for  thy  past  deeds,  and 
stay  all  proceedings  with  that  man  of  law, 
Mr.  Barnwell,  and  order  him  to  restore  to 
me  those  books  of  mine  which  he  doth  un- 
lawfully hold,  then  I  will  be  merciful  to  thee, 
and  let  thee  go  thy  way,  unmolested  by  the 
ofificcrs  of  justice. '    ' 

'  Ah  !  then  your  errand  here  is  to  com- 
promise matters  with  me  ?  '  I  queried. 

'  Ay,  verily ;  out  of  the  kindness  of  my 
heart  will  I  condesend  to  comprcftnise  with 
thee.' 

'  And  is  there  no  other  alternative  ?' 

'  Nay,  female  there  is  none.' 

'  Then  hear  me  base  hypocrite,'  said  I, 
'with  a  determined  spirit.  '  I  will  neither  go 
with  you,  nor  accept  your  terms.  You  have 
come  here  to  frighten  or  to  force  me  into 
compliance  with  your  base  scheme,  to  again 
get  possession  of  the  wealth  you  have, 
through  a  long  series  of  years,  embezzled 
from  this  estate.  But  you  have  signally 
failed.  You  nor  your  pretended  officer 
have  no  right  to  arrest  nor  lay  a  finger  upon 
me.  And  as  I  cannot  bandy  words  any 
longer  with  the  basest  of  villains,  I  command 
you  to  leave  this  house  !  There  is  the  door 
— begone !  ' 

'  Officer,'  said  the  Quaker,  '  the  female 
hath  an  obdurate  spirit;  therefore  perform 
thy  duty.' 


The  semi-official  looking  stranger  advan- 
ced a  step,  and  was  about  to  attempt  an  ex- 
ecution of  the  command,  when  I  said  to 
him — 

'  Sliow  your  authority  for  this  proceeding, 
before  you  advance  another  step  towj.r.1  me, 
I  exclaimed,  with  considerable  bravado  for 
a  woman. 

'  My  authority  is  from  this  good  man,* 
said  the  officer. 

'  Then  you  have  no  warrant  ?  ' 

'  None.  I  am  an  assistant  provost-mar- 
shal, and  was  asked  to  co:ne  hero  to 
arrest  au  impostor — perhaps  a  Spj  !  * 

'  Then  on  your  peril  desist !  '  said  I, 
with  all  the  vehemence  I  could  force  into 
my  utterance. 

The  officer  quailed  before  me,  and  reced- 
ed a  step  or  two. 

'  Then,  Jezebel,  will  I  do  what  he  lacketh 
the  courage  to  do  ! '  exclaimed  Obadiah,  ad- 
vancing. '  Come,  Potiphar,  we  will  drag 
this  imposter  before  the  officers  of  the  law.' 

'  Statid  back  ! '  I  commanded.  '  If  one 
of  you  lay  but  the  weight  of  your  finger 
upon  me,  I  will  shoot  you  with  as  good  a 
will  as  was  manifested  by  our  watch-dog, 
when  he  bore  off,  as  a  trophy,  one-half  of 
your  coat-tail,  on  the  night  that  you  attemp- 
ted to  enact  the  part  of  a  mui-derous  incen- 
diary.' 

While  uttering  these  words,  I  displayed 
a  small  pocket-pistol,  which,  at  that  moment 
was  as  harmless  as  a  house-key.  But  the 
sight  of  it  brought  old  Broadbrim  at  bay, 
and  the  nest  moment  he  had  also  produced 
a  formidable  revolver.  Potiphar  with  hands 
and  knees  trembling,  also  drew  forth  a  simi- 
lar weapon. 

Really,  matters  began  to  look  quite  threat- 
ening. But,  knowing  I  had  only  cowards 
to  deal  with,  and  that  I  had  a  strong  reserve 
within  call,  I  stood  undaunted  before  these 
anti-war  men.  I  absolutely  challenged  each 
one  of  them  to  fight  a  duel  with  me  at  ten 
paces,  by  way  of  diversion,  and  taunted 
them  for  hesitating  to  accept  the  challenge. 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


71 


Tliey  stood  amazed,  wondering,  probably, 
what  manner  of  woman  they  had  to  deal 
with. 

'  M-o-n-s-t-r-o-u-s  ! '  drawled  out  old  Broad- 
brim. '  Verily,  I  suspect  that  .this  female 
hath  a  devil ! ' 

*  A-bom-i-na-ble  ! '  added  Potiphar,  with 
a  nasal  twang.  '  Father  Obadiah,  perchance 
the  damseris  pistol  hath  powder  and  a  leaden 
sphere  within  its  iron  tube  And  it  may  be 
she  has  the  recklessness  to  pull  the  trigger ! 
I  feel  it  to  be  a  part  of  dis-cre-ti-on  to  turn 
our  backs  upon  her  and  return  to  the  city 
forthwith.  We  ai-e  not  in  suflQcient  force  to 
cope  with  those  who  carryeth  loaded  fire- 
arms and  is  possessed  of  a  devil !  In  the 
morning  we  may  return  with  a  force  which 
shall  overwhelm  her  and  compel  her  to  sur- 
render !  ' 

'  Potiphar,  thou  counseleth  well  for  one 
of  thy  years.  We  are,  verily,  men  of  peace  ; 
and  though  we  have  weapons  of  war  in  our 
hands,  yet  they  are  as  harmless  as  the  great 
guns  of  Manassas ! '  said  Obadiah,  as  he 
turned  mechanically  upon  his  heel,  and  ut^ 
tcring  a  profane  anathema  and  a  pious  groan, 
he  made  good  his  retreat,  followed  closely 
by  Potiphar. 

The  official,  who  declared  himself  an  as- 
sistant provost  marshal,  lingered  for  a  mo- 
ment, and  said : 

'  I  feel  quite  ashamed  of  the  part  I  have 
played  in  this  business,  for  I  perceive  there 
is  some  mistake  here.  I  trust,  lady,  you 
will  pardon  me.' 

'  But  did  you  not  say  that  you  had  con- 
versed with  one  that  you  believed  was  the 
daughter  of  the  late  Mr.  Marland  ?  ' 

'  It  is  true,'  he  replied,  '  I  understood 
her  to  be  such  ;  but  I  must  have  been  mis- 
informed. If  it  please  you  I  will  call  again 
to-morrow,  and  explain  the  interview  which 
was  referred  to,  and  also  bring  some  evidence 
that  shall  exculpate  me  in  my  attempting  to 
place  you  in  a  false  position. ' 

'  Do  so,  and  you  shall  be  rewarded.  Come 
to-morrow  afternoon,  and ' 


Here  the  loud  and  angry  yelping  of  a 
dog  in  the  avenue  leading  from  the  villa, 
accompanied  by  terrific  cries  from  human 
voices,  cut  short  my  speech.  We  hastened 
to  the  door,  and  could  jast  discern  by  the 
moon's  rays,  Obadiah  and  Potiphar  running 
for  dear  life,  with  the  large  watch-dog  at 
their  heels,  while  Cufiee,  the  negro,  was 
standing  in  front  of  the  door,  convulsed  with 
laughter. 

'  He,  he,  missus  ;  de  dog  am  arter  anoder 
coat  tail!'  said  Coffee;  guess  he  cotoh 
'em ! ' 

'  But  will  he  not  hurt  them,  Cuffee  ?  ' 

'  No,  missus ;  only  skeer  dem  a  little, 
and  get  anoder  coat-tail, — he,  he,  yah  !  ' 

The  dog  did  not  continue  his  pursuit  be- 
yond the  terminus  of  the  avenue ;  and  he 
soon  returned,  having  in  his  mouth  that 
which  Cufiee  predicted  he  would  obtain,  one 
of  the  continuations  of  Potiphar's  drab  coat, 
which,  after  shaking  with  much  seeming  de- 
light, he  deposited  at  my  feet. 

The  assistant  provost  laughed  heartily  as 
well  as  myself  He  again  apologized  for 
his  unwelcome  visit,  and  assured  me  that  the 
two  quakers,  as  a  deserving  punishment, 
should  be  reported  at  head-quarters  as  suit- 
able recruits  for  the  army ;  adding  that  it 
was  outrageous  that  such  men  should  have 
so  long  avoided  the  conscription  under  the 
garb  of  quakers.  He  then  bade  me  '  good 
night,'  and  disappeared  down  the  avenue. 

But  what  of  Col.  Lamar  ?  He  met  me  as 
I  entered  the  hall,  and  confessed  that  be 
had  been  not  only  a  listener  but  an  observer 
of  all  that  had  passed,  within  the  darkened 
room  adjoining. 

'  The  whole  scene,'  said  he,  '  was  of  so 
ludicrous  a  nature  that  I  enjoyed  it  hugely. 
At  one  moment  matters  had  culminated  so 
nearly  to  a  violent  point,  that  I  felt  my  in- 
terference to  be  almost  necessary ;  but  it  was 
turned  so  quickly  by  the  belligerents  show- 
ing the  white  feather,  that  I  desisted.' 

'  And  I  am  glad  you  restrained  yourself, 
colonel,'  said  I,  'for  it  would  really  have 


72 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


been  quite  awkward  for  you,  as  well  as  my- 
Belf,  to  reveal  to  those  men  that  you  were 
here  tete-a-tete  with  me,  at  this  late  hour.  It 
would  at  least  have  made  food  for  scandal- 
mongers. ' 

'  You  will  acknowledge,  Miss  Marland, 
that  I  had  a  good  excuse  for  seeking  this 
interview,  late  though  it  was  when  I  came ; 
tliough  I  confess  the  desire  to  see  you  again 
before  I  left  for  my  post,  had  not  a  little  to 
do  in  impelling  me  hither.' 

'  lam  under  great  obligations  to  you,  sir,' 
I  replied ;  '  you  have  done  me  a  great  ser- 
vice by  the  timely  warning  I  had  from  your 
lips.  It  gave  me  just  that  sort  of  assurance 
necessary  to  effectually  thwart  their  inten- 
tions.' 

'  And  you  made  most  admirable  use  of 
it,'  returned  the  colonel ;  '  it  is  the  first  time 
in  my  life  that  one  young  lady  may  possibly 
be  more  than  a  match  for  three  full  grown 
men.' 

With  these  words  he  took  his  hat,  and 
after  making  regrets  that  he  was  compelled 
to  absent  himself  while  I  was  likely  to  be 
annoyed  by  the  Tomlinsons,  he  bade  me  a 
kindly  adieu,  and  took  his  leave.' 

Before  I  retired  that  night  my  prepara- 
rations  were  complete  for  my  own  departure. 
I  imparted  my  intentions  to  Cuffee,  and  bade 
him  have  the  lesser  carriage  ready  to  take 
me  to  the  station  of  the  Jackson  and  Vicks- 
burg  Railroad  in  time  to  take  the  nine  o'clock 
train  for  the  latter  place. 

This  faithful  nco;ro,  notwithstandins:  he 
had  fairly  danced  with  joy  at  the  first  inti- 
mation I  made  to  him  that  he  could  gain  his 
freedom  by  going  to  Vicksburg  with  me, 
was  quite  alarmed  when  I  told  him  that  I 
was  really  in  earnest  going  to  that  city ;  for 
at  this  time  this  stronghold  of  the  rebels  was 
vigorously  invested  by  strong  forces  of  the 
federal  array  and  navy,  and  stoughtly  de- 
fended by  all  the' resources  which  the  con- 
federates could  concentrate  on  that  immense- 
ly important  point. 

'  Lor'  massy,  missee,  dey  hab    do  war 


down  dar,  de  wuss  kine ; '  said  Cuffee,  while 
amazement  shone  from  his  eyes ;  '  dey  keep 
de  binr2;uns  tunderin2;,  and  de  shells  bu.stin, 
and  de  bullets  whisslin,  'bout  all  de  time 
night  and  day.  Den  dey  do  say  dem  Yan- 
kees muss  take  de  city  pooty  soon ;  and  den, 
Missee  Marian'  wot  becum  ob  you  den  ? 
Golly,  I  wudn't  dar  to  go  down  dar  for  all 
de  wurld.  Sure  to  get  killed  wid  a  bullet, 
or  busted  wid  a  shell. ' 

'Oh  !  Cuffee,  there  is  no  danger  for  me 
there.  I  shall  be  out  of  the  way  of  that,' 
lanswered. 

Notwithstanding  his  description  of  the 
dangers  to  be  encountered,  and  that  he  was 
sure  to  get  killed  with  a  bullet  or  a  shell, 
if  he  went  down  there,  ho  finally  persuaded 
me  to  let  him  accompany  me,  to  see  that  I 
fell  into  no  danger  on  the  road,  and  that  I 
should  be  exempt  from  the  dangers  of  inces- 
ant  bombardment  while  there. 

Before  leaving  Magnolia  Villa,  I  oujjht 
here  to  say,  that  I  indited  an  explanatory 
letter  to  the  veritable  Miss  IMarietta  iMarland, 
explaining  all  that  the  reader  knows  of  my 
actions,  while  in  the  assumption  of  her  po- 
sition, justifying  my  conduct  on  the  princi- 
ple tnut  '  all  was  fair  in  war..'  This  letter 
I  sealed,  and  placed  in  an  escrutoire  in  the 
boudoir,  in  a  place  that  she  would  be  most 
likely  to  discover  it,  very  soon  after  she  had 
arrived  at  her  home ;  an  event  which,  I 
knew  from  certain  indications,  would  be 
likely  to  occur  in  a  very  few  days. 

In  departing  from  Magnolia  Villa  I  must 
confess  that  I  could  not  suppress  a  tear  or 
two,  for  the  servants  (they  did  not  seem  like 
slaves)  appeared  to  have  become  very  much 
attached  to  me ;  so  much  so  that  many  of 
them  declared  they  never  would  leave  my 
service  if  the  '  Yanks  '  did  conquer  the  con- 
federacy, and  set  them  free.  That  this  was 
their  determination  I  had  more  than  the 
testimony  of  their  declaration  for. 

However,  Cuffee  and  I  sat  out  on  our 
journey,  and  in  the  course  of  four  hours 
we   found  ourselves  in  the   invested  city, 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


73 


without  meeting  witli  any  incident  or  annoy- 
ance on  the  route,  except  the  frequent  de- 
mand to  show  my  pass. 

A  note  in  cipher  instructed  me  where  to 
find  accommodations,  which  was  in  a  part  of 
the  city,  as  remote  from  danger  as  possible, 
although  there  was  no  real  safety  anywhere. 
After  I  had  become  fairly  domiciled,  I  sent 
Cufibe  on  his  way  rejoicing  towards  Jackson, 
for,  during  the  twenty-four  hours  he  was  in 
Vicksburg,  he  was  in  constant  trepidation 
lest  his  head  should  come  in  contact  with  one 
of  those  blazing  'dinner  pots,'  which  were 
constantly  flying  over  the  city,  to  the  terror 
of  almost  everybody.  In  fact,  he  declared 
he  was  homesick,  and  said  he  much  rather 
preferred  to  be  a  servant  at  Magnolia  Villa 
than  a  free  man  at  Vicksburg. 

As  soon  as  Cuffee  was  gone,  my  hostess, 
who  at  once  had  taken  me  in  charge  as 
though  I  belonged  especially  to  her,  fur- 
nished me  with  a  new  costume,  suited  as  she 
said,  particularly  to  the  atmosphere  of  the 
beleaguered  dty.  I  donned  it  at  once,  and 
all  traces  of  Miss  Marietta  Marland,  the 
heiress  of  Masrnolia  Villa,  and  boardinc;- 
school  Miss,  suddenly  disappeared. 

The  events  which  followed  I  will  not  tire 
your  patience  to-night  by  narrating,  to  which 
Colonel  Pdanly  you  have  been  such  an  ex- 
cellent listener." 

"  I  could  listen  all  night,"  replied  Col- 
onel Manly ;  ' '  why  every  step  you  took  is 
fraught  with  the  deepest  interest.  If  I  were 
only  a  novelist,  I  could  write  a  romance 
that  would  astonish  and  charm  the  world. 
I  am  sure  I  shall  dream  of  Magnolia  Villa, 
to-night ;  of  its  ancient  coach  and  coachman 
— of  Cuffee  and  the  footman — of  Obadiah, 
and  of  Potiphar, — and  of  Colonel  Lamar, 
who,  if  he  were  not  a  rebel,  I  could  not  de- 
spise him  for  being,  really,  a  most  ardent 
lover;  audi  am  thinking  that  if  it  had  not 
been  for  his  impressible  heart,  his  eyes 
would  not  have  been  so  utterly  blinded  as 
to  your  real  character  and  position  at  Mag- 
noUa  Villa." 


"  Very  possible  ;  for  I  flatter  myself  that 
I  was  not  wholly  indifferent  to  him  ;  but  be 
assured  my  kindest  of  friends,  his  love  ardor 
could  have  found  no  response  in  the  affec- 
tions of  the  soi  disant  Marietta  ]\Iarland. 
Good  night,  colonel.  Whatever  dreams  you 
may  have,  I  hope  that  they  will  not  make 
your  sleep  unpleasant." 

"Thanks!  Goodnight." 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

THE     spy's  *FIRST     DAYS    IN     VICKSBURG 

SOME   REMARKABLE    ADVENTURES. 

Fourth  of  July  in  Vicksburg !  Never 
was  our  National  Independence  celebrated 
with  more  heartfelt  joy  and  spirit  by  every 
true  patriot,  than  that  on  which  the  seven- 
starred  flag  of  rebellion  gave  place  to  "  Old 
Glory,'  with  all  its  stars  and  stripes. 

The  booming  of  mighty  cannon  from  sh]-> 
and  shore — the  ringing  of  bells — the  beat- 
ing of  drums — the  shouts  of  our  brave  sol- 
diers and  sailors — the  inspiring  strains  of 
patriotic  martial  music  from  a  hundred 
bands — swelled  into  one  grand  chorus, — 
was  indeed  a  fit  sequel  to  the  terrible,  almost 
incessant  thunderiugs  of  shotted  cannon, 
bursting  of  shells,  rattling  of  musketry, 
cries  of  the  wounded,  and  all  the  noises 
which  make  up  the  pandemonium  of  bloody 
warfare,  which  had  been  the  daily  and 
nightly  demonstrations  within  and  without 
the  walls  of  the  doomed  city  for  weeks,  aye, 
for  months  previous. 

I  speak  of  this  particular  Independence 
day  with  more  than  a  patriot's  ardor ;  for 
none  can  know,  save  those  who  experienced 
the  fearful  scenes  of  that  memorable  cam- 
pain,  of  the  contrast  that  two  days  had  pro- 
duced. Yet  our  joys  were  not  unmingled 
with  sorrow;  we  could  not  forget  those  of 
our  comrades  who  "slept  the  sleep  that 
knows  no  awakening;  "  those  who  languish- 
ed and  suffered  on  beds  of  sickness;  and 


74 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


those  who  were  far  away,  who  could  not  re- 
call the  siege  and  capture  of  Vicksburg 
without  dropping  a  tear  of  sadness  for  the 
loved  ones  who  were  the  victims  of  that 
grand  national  achievement. 

When  that  ever  memorable  day  had  pass- 
ed, and  evening  came,  I  was  again  unspeak- 
ably happy  to  be  in  the  presence  of  Virginia 
Graham. 

Our  kind  and  attentive  surgeon  was  there 
also.  He  was  invited  to  lemain,  but  he  de- 
clined, saying  that  every  surgeon  in  the 
army  had  pressing'  professional  duties  to 
perform,  and  that  it  was  as  essential  for  him 
to  be  as  constant  in  the  hospital  as  ife  was 
for  a  commander  to  be  with  his  soldiers  in 
the  hour  of  battle. 

"  A  braver  or  more  skilful  and  conscien- 
tious man  than  Doctor  Glenfield,  our  array 
can  scarcely  boast  of,"  I  remarked,  as  soon 
as  the  surgeon  had  retired  from  the  room. 

"  Yos,  and  so  kind  and  considerate;  and 
how  diffident  he  seems,"  added  A^irginia. 

"lie  has  informed  me  that  I  cannot  be 
allowed  to  remain  on  the  sick  list  any 
longer  ;  and  that  he  shall  report  me  '  fit  for 
duty  '  to-morrow  morning.  So,  Virginia,  I 
can  well  listen  to  the  conclusion  of  your  ad- 
ventures this  evening,"  said  I,  persuasively. 
"  A  record  of  my  experiences  since  I  ar^ 
rived  in  this  city  will'  not  prove  a  very  in- 
teresting one  ;  but  I  promise  you  I  shall  be 
brief,"  said  Virginia,  after  prefacing  her  nar- 
rative with  a  few  unimportant  particulars 
respecting  her  manner  of  entering  the  city, 
and  the  scrutiny  with  which  her  passport 
was  examined,  and  the  almost  rude  manner 
in  which  her  form  and  features  were  scanned 
by  provost  marshals,  detectives,  and  other 
police  officials. 

"  On  reaching  the  house  to  which  ray  in- 
structions directed  me,"  resumed  Virginia, 
"  I  was  very  kindly  received  by  a  middle- 
aged  lady,  who  called  herself  Mrs.  Ramsay, 
and,  as  I  have  before  intimated,  my  '  Mari- 
etta Marland  '  costume  was  changed  for  one 
of  much  less  pretensions,  for  ladies  of  high 


degree  in  Vicksburg  condescended  to  wear 
the  cheapest  and  mosC  ordinary  fabrics  dur- 
ing the  months  of  the  siege.  My  coilfure, 
likewise,  underwent  a  radical  change,  and, 
altogether  I  think,  a  complete  metamorphose 
was  effected  in  my  personal  appoariince,  and 
instead  of  resembling  in  any  degiee  the  high- 
born boarding-school  Miss  of  Magnolia  Villa, 
I  more  nearly  resembled  a  country  market- 
girl  or  a  maid-of  all-work.  Indeed,  I  had 
previously  found  that  I  was  not  to  exercise 
any  discretion  whatever  in  matters  of  dress, 
nor  had  I  as  yet  violated  in  any  degree  this 
part  of  my  instructions.  I  had  not  only  to 
be  passive  as  to  what  I  should  wear,  like  a 
milliner's  frame  or  block  upon  which  she 
builds  up  her  models,  but  I  must  occupy 
the  quarters  pointed  out  to  me,  and  to  heed 
such  advice  as  might  be  given  voluntarily  to 
me  by  Mrs.  Ramsey ;  in  other  respects  I 
must  be  guided  by  my  letter  of  general  in- 
structions, to  be  varied  according  to  circum- 
stances. 

During  the  first  three  days  I  was  employ- 
ed in  '  much  ado  about  nothing,' — watching 
the  passers-by  from  the  window  of  my  room, 
and  in  taking  a  walk  witli  my  hostess  every 
afternoon  and  evening,  to  difierent  parts  of 
the  city,  until  I  understood  its  topography 
quite  as  well  as  an  old  inhabitant. 

On  the  fourth  day  I  was  permitted  to  go 
alone,  and  as  it  was  an  extremely  doli>:;]itful 
day,  and  the  horrid  thundering  strife  between 
the  besiegers  and  besieged  had  by  mutual 
consent  been  suspended,  I  extended  ray 
walk  much  farther  than  usual,  until  I  fosnd 
myself  in  a  street  where  there  was  a  large 
barracks.  I  came  upon  it  suddenly,  and 
had  either  to  pass  directly  by  it,  where  there 
were  groups  of  officers  and  soldiers  idling 
away  the  hours  in  the  esplanade  in  front,  or 
turn  and  retrace  my  steps,  a  manoeuvre  which 
could  not  have  been  done  without  attracting 
notice. 

I  resolved  upon  the  former,  and  pulling 
a  light  green  veil  over  my  face,  I  resolutely 


SPY  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY. 


75 


marched  on,  and  had  neared  the  great  gate 
when  I  heard  an  officer  utter  these  words  : 

'  This  Spy  is  probably  in  Vicksbnrg 
now !  ' 

The  voice  was  not  an  unfamiliar  one.  I 
glanced  toward  the  speaker,  and  beheld 
Captain  Clymer  ! 

He  was  talking  earnestly  with  a  two-star- 
red officer,  in  a  handsome  grey  uniform,  who 
was  afterwards  pointed  out  to  me  as  General 
Pemberton. 

My  heart  seemed  to  leap  into  my  mouth. 
My  gait  I  am  sure  was  unsteady,  and  I  was 
almost  ready  to  sink  to  the  earth  when  I 
heard  these  additional  words  : 

'  She  is  a  young,  stylish,  handsome  wo- 
man, about  the  size  of that  young  girl, 

there  ; '  and  he  pointed  directly  toward  me. 

These  last  words,  however,  partially  reas- 
sured me,  as  soon  as  I  had  time  to  think 
that  not  one  of  those  eleg-ant,  heroic-lookinsr 
officers  could  imagine  anything  '  stylish  '  or 
handsome  about  *  that  young  girl,  there.' 

I  was  enabled,  somehow  or  another,  to 
move  on  ;  but  for  a  few  moments  I  almost 
felt  that  I  had  no  limbs  to  sustain  me.  I 
dared  not  look  behind,  lest  I  should  see  a 
grey  form  following  me,  but  kept  on,  solely 
as  it  seemed  to  me  by  the  predominant  power 
of  volition  over  the  physical  means  of  loco- 
motion. 

At  length  I  reached  a  street  that  run  lat- 
erally from  the  one  that  I  was  pursuing. 
The  moment  that  I  turned  into  it  I  sank 
upon  the  earth,  as  if  exhausted  by  physical 
exertion.  In  all  my  surprises  I  had  never 
come  so  near  showing  woman's  weakness,  by 
fainting,  as  I  did  then.  It  was  so  sudden 
— so  unexpected — that  had  I  been  confront- 
ed by  a  loaded  pistol,  it  could  not  have 
amazed  me  more. 

However  the  fright  was  over — the  dan- 
ger was  passed,  and  my  heart  gradually 
found  its  proper  place,  and  ceased  to  beat 
or  thump  with  that  unwonted  power  and 
velocity  that  so  nearly  annihilated  me. 
Fortunately,  there  were  no  passers  by,  ex- 


cept a  few  negro  urchins,  who  took  little  or 
no  notice  of  me,  during  the  t<?n  minutes  that 
my  respiratory  organs  were  becoming  regu- 
lated. 

At  length  feeling  that  I  had  strength  to 
resume  my  walk,  I  arose,  and  in  the  course 
of  fifteen  minutes  had  found  the  way  back 
to  my  lodgings,  where  in  the  privacy  of  my 
apartment,  I  viewed  my  figure  and  general 
appearance,  to  satisfy  myself  whether  it  were 
possible  that  any  one,  at  a  casual  glance, 
could  discern  any  traces  in  my  present  per- 
son, of  the  soi  disant  heiress  of  Magnolia 
Villa. 

A  brief  examination  convinced  me  that  I 
had  been  frightened  without  any  real  cause  ; 
that  it  was  really  a  very  remarkable  coinci- 
dence that  ' the  Spy '  had  been  spoken  of 
within  my  hearing.  But  I  had  absolutely 
seen  Captain  Clymer  !  and  he  had  pointed 
at  me  with  his  finger  I  all  of  which  was 
very  natural,  because  I  happened  to  be  about 
the  size  of  the  spy,  that  was  '  probably  in 
Vicksburg  now ! ' 

This  incident  gave  me  such  food  for  re- 
flection, that  I  thought  of  nothing  else  dur- 
ing my  long  waking  hours  tliat  night,  and 
gave  me  food  for  startling  dreams  while  I 
slept. 

I  was  certain  that  there  had  been  a  devel- 
opement  at  Magnolia  Villa.  Either  old 
Broadbrim  and  his  son  had  really  'found 
the  hole  where  the  fox  went  in  and  went 
out,'  but  had  failed  to  unearth  the  sly  ani- 
mal ;  or  that  the  genuine  Marietta  Marland 
had  arrived  at  the  paternal  mansion  only  to 
discover  that  another  Marietta  Marland  had 
been  there  before  her,  doing  infinite  service 
in  exposing  the  wickedness  of  her  guardian 
and  steward,  and  in  restor^ing  to  her  that 
portion  of  her  patrimony  which  had  been 
embezzled  by  the  unscrupulous  hypocrite. 

I  had  some  misgivings  that  I  had  not 
acted  with  my  usual  prudence  in  bringing 
Cuffee  to  Vicksburg,  and  then  let  him  re- 
turn at  his  own  urgent  request  to  Jackson, 
even  without  cautioning  him  to  say  nothing 


76 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


concerning  mc,  sbould  he  be  questioned ; 
but  I  con.solcd  myself  with  the"  thought  that 
he  possessed  more  than  the  usual  amount  of 
negro  shrewdness,  and  would  put  all  eager 
enquirers  after  me  on  the  wrong  scent ;  for 
should  it  be  made  known  to  him  that  I  was 
ever  an  impostor  and  a  spy,  his  good  wishes 
for  the  ultimate  success  of  the  Federal 
cause,  would  tend  only  to  increase  his  regard 
for  me. 

I  think  I  have  alluded  to  the  fact  that  I 
had  written  an  apologetic  letter  to  the  right- 
ful heiress  of  Magnolia,  explaining  all  that 
I  had  done  toucliing  her  affairs,  which  letter 
I  had  placed  in  such  an  exposed  place  in  her 
escnitoirc,  that  she  could  not  fail  to  discover 
it  sooner  or  later  after  her  arrival.  In  re- 
regard  to  her  I  reasoned  within  myself  as 
to  what  would  be  the  probable  views  she 
would  entertain  of  me,  after  everything  had 
been  brought  to  light  connected  with  my 
performing  her  role  in  such  an  efficient  man- 
ner, during  uiy  brief  occupancy  of  her  really 
enviable  position.  I  felt  if  she  was  a  true 
woman  she  would  not  lend  herself  to  any 
scheme  which  could  possibly  place  my  life 
and  liberty  in  jeopardy.  If  she  possessed 
a  grateful  heart  she  would  thank  me  a  thou- 
sand times  for  what  I  had  done.  If  she 
was  of -an  affectionate,  loving  nature,  she 
would  regard  ine  with  almost  the  tenderness 
of  a  sister. 

On  the  next  morning,  while  pondering  al- 
most abstractedly  over  the  matter  which  had 
60  much  exercised  my  mental  faculties  dur- 
ing the  night,  a  rap  at  the  door  aroused  me, 
and  Mrs.  Ramsey  peered  in  and  announced 
to  me  with  a  smile  that  I  had  a  visitor  be- 
low. The  smile  assured  me  that  it  was  no 
one  I  need  be  apprehensive  of.  I  therefore 
followed  her  down  stairs  to  the  hall,  when, 
to  my  astonishment,  the  ebony  countenance 
of  my  late  travelling  protector,  Cuffec,  met 
my  gaze. 

He  threwseveral  glances  at  me,  but  the 
blank  expression  of  his  countenance  indi- 


cated that  I  was  not  the  young  lady  he 
wished  to  see. 

'  Missus,'  said  be,  addressing  Mrs.  Ram- 
sey, and  shaking  his  head ;  '  you  'member 
de  young  leddy,  Missee  Marian'  from  3Iag- 
noly  Villa — Cuffee  cum  wid  her,  tree,  four, 
live  day  'go  V  ' 

'  This  is  the  identical  person,'  said  my 
hostess. 

'  Golly — am  dat  so — can't  be,'  said  Cuf- 
fec, scrutinizing  mc  more  closely. 

'  Yes,  Cuffec,  Marietta  Marland  that  was, 
but  I  believe  I  am  somebody  else  just  at 
present — who,  I  scarcely  know  myself.' 

'  Am  dat  you,  missee,  shuah  V  '  asked  the 
negro,  approaching.  '  Bress  dese  ole  eyes, 
it  am  !  Bress  dese  ole  ears  dat  I  hears  you 
speak  ! ' 

'  I  thought  you  had  returned  to  Jackson  ? ' 
said  I,  enquiringly,  though  I  was  certain 
that  I  could  have  answered  the  query  my- 
self. 

'  Eos,  missus !  hab  bin  dare  !  cum  back 
again  !  My  young  missus  sent  me,'  said 
Cuffoe. 

'  Your  young  mistress  ?  Wiiat  can  you 
mean,  Cuffjo,'  said  I,  pretending  to  be  sui^ 
prised  at  the  revelation  I  knew  it  was  ce> 
tain  that  he  would  make. 

'  Anoder  missus — bewful  young  leddy — 
jus  from  bordin'  school ' 

'  Well,  Cuftee,  let's  hear  the  worst.' 

'  Wal,  missus,  she  cum  to  Magnoly,  and 
she  say  she  de  ginnewine  Missus  'Etta  Mar- 
Ian'  ;  an'  all  de  ole  fooks  say  dar  can  be  no 
mistake  dis  time ;  an'  she  look  juss  for  all 
de  world  like  her  poo'  dead  and  gone  mud- 
der.' 

'  And,  therefore,  I  suppose  they  consider 
me  an  impostor  ?  ' 

'  Not  zacktly  dat,  missus  ;  dcy  say  you 
wur  her  good  angel,  sent  dere  'sprcssly  to 
'spose  ole  Tomly,  an'  make  hib  gib  up  de 
money  dat  b'long  to  my  missus.  Dat's  wot 
I  hear  Massa  Barnwell  say,  and  dat's  wat 
missus  say,  too.  But  ole  Tomly  he  hab  got 
de  dcbil  in  him,  and  do  quaker  swore  an  oaf 


r 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


77 


ob  vengeance  gin  you — tole  de  Provy  Mar- 
shal dat  you  wur  a  Yankee  Spy,  an'  dat  you 
had  gone  off  to  Vicksburg  to  see  wot  de 
rebels  am  doiu'  dar,  and  den  wud  go  ober 
to  de  Yankees  to  'sposc  dem.' 

'  And  have  you  made  this  journey  ex- 
pressly to  tell  me  this?  '  I  asked. 

'  Ees,  missus,  an'  someting  more.  I  hab 
now  to  tell  you  dat  Capen  Clymer,  Potiphar 
Tomly,  ole  Tomly's  son,  an'  de  Provy  Mar- 
shal hab  cum  down  here  to  'rest  you  for  de 
spy  ob  de  enemy — dem  wot's  on  de  oder 
aide — dat  am,  if  dey  can  foun'  you  out,  but 
I  guess  dey  won't  know  you  wid  dem  kine 
ob  clothes  on.' 

'  And  you  have  come  with  them,  I  sup- 
pose ?  ' 

'  I  confess  de  fac,  missus ;  dey  made  me 
como  to  pint  you  out  weneber  I  cud  sot  dese 
ole  eyes  'pon  you ;  but  neber  fear  Cuffee. 
My  new  missus  tole  me  to  do  all  dat  I  cud 
to  lead  dem  'stray,  juss  like  a  flock  ob  sheep, 
an'  I  alius  'beys  missus.  But  dey  am  'tar- 
mined  to  cotch  you  if  dey  can — so  you  muss 
be  on  your  guard.  Dat's  wot  I  moss  cum 
for  to  tell  you,  an'  to  gib  you  dis  letter  dat 
my  new  missus  gub  me.  Muss  lef  nobody 
see,  'case  it  might  git  de  young  leddy  into 
trouble.' 

'  I  fully  comprehend,  my  good  friend,  and 
I  will  endeavor  yet  to  reward  you  for  all 
your  trouble  on  my  account. ' 

'  Golly  I  knows  dat,  but  I  wants  nuffin — 
I  will  hab  nuffin — my  missus  will  gib  Cuffee 
eberyting  dat  he  wants.  But  be  keerful, 
missus,  and  dey  won't  fin'  you,  dats  all — 
good  mornin'  ! ' 

"With  these  words,  uttered  with  almost 
breathless  haste,  the  faithful  negro  turned 
and  shot  out  of  the  house  with  all  the  speed 
•he  could  make. 

I  hastened  back  to  my  room,  filled  with 
all  a  woman's  curiosity  to  know  the  contents 
of  the  missive  which  the  negro  had  put  into 
my  hand.  I  broke  the  seal,  and.  in  a  neat 
style  of  boarding-school  chirography,   and 


boarding-school  phraseology,  I  read  as  fol- 
lows: 

'  My  Dear  Lady, — ^I  wish  T  knew  your 
name  that  I  might  address  you  thereby.  On 
my  arrival  at  home  I  assure  you  that  quite 
an  excitement  was  created,  and  everybody 
— servants  and  all — stared  at  me  with  per- 
fect astonishment;  and  all  anxious  to  lell 
me  that  another  Miss  IMarietta  Marland  had 
been  there  before  me,  and  that  she  was  a 
very  kind  and  beautiful  young  lady;  in- 
deed, they  complimented  you  so  lavishly 
that,  if  I  did  not  feel  slightly  jealous  of  you, 
I  did  feel  a  little  envious. 

I  had  been  in  the  house  but  a  few  hours, 
when,  on  going  to  my  escritoire,  I  discovered 
your  letter  of  apologies,  explanations,  etc. 
But  what  astonished  me  most  was  your  ac- 
count of  your  dealings  with  my  guardian, 
and  steward  of  the  estate  left  me  by  my  late 
lamented  father.  I  had  been  led  to  believe 
that  I  was  possessed  of  only  a  small  com- 
petency, and  when  you  intimated  that  I  was 
a  wealthy  heiress,  and  that  the  great  resti- 
tution of  the  property  by  Obadiah  Tomlin- 
son  was  brought  about  througli  your  shrewd- 
ness and  effort,  of  course  I  could  not  but 
feel  the  most  heartfelt  gratitude  towards  you. 

For  the  purpose  of  understanding  the 
matter  more  fully,  I  sent  for  'Mr.  Barnwell, 
the  attorney  named  in  your  letter.  He  came 
almost  immediately,  and  was  as  much  sur- 
prised to  find  another  Miss  Marland  as  I  had 
been  to  heai  of  Obadiah  Tomlinson's  per- 
fidy and  crime. 

I  showed  him  your  letter,  which  explained 
the  position  of  things  in  their  true  light. 
He  corroborated  in  full. your  statement,  and 
commended  what  you  had  done  in  my  behalf 
in  the  warmest  terms.  But,  you  must  not 
think  it  strange,  if  we  were  both  exceeding- 
ly puzzled  as  to  what  your  real  motives 
could  have  been  in  coming  to^  Magnolia 
Villa ;  and  after  unmasking  a  villain,  and 
compelling  him  to  restore  that  which  he  had 
unlawfully  taken,  to  take  so  sudden  a  depar- 
ture. Still  more  are  we  puzzled  to  under- 
stand how  it  was  that  you  came  into  posses- 
sion of  my  luggage,  which  it  appears  you 
brought  safely  to  my  home,  and  to  find  it 
precisely  in  the  condition  in  which  it  was 
packed,  before  it  preceded  me  on  my  depar- 
ture from  Kentucky  for  jNIississippi,  under  a 
passport  from  the  General  of  the  Union 
army. 


78 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


On  the  (lay  after  my  interviow  with  Mr. 
Barnwell  at  home,  I  went  to  Jaekson  and 
called  u[)on  liini  at  his  office,  wliere  I  had  the 
eatisfaction  of  scein<j;all  the  papers  portainini^ 
to  my  aff-iirs.  While  there,  I  was  startle:  1 
to  learn  that  you  was  a  Spy  of  the  Federal 
army,  and  p.iincd  to  hear  that  you  were  im- 
mediately to  be  pursued  to  Vieksburg,  and 
if  found,  you  were  to  be  arrested,  tried,  and 
punished  as  a  Spy  !  Tf  the  worst  be  true, 
believe  me  wlien  I  say  that  [  hope  and  pray 
that  you  in:iy  not  fall  into  their  hands. 

On  returning  home,  an  old  negro  they  call 
Cuffee,  had,  as  it  was  stated,  just  returned 
from  Vieksburg,  after  accompanying  you 
thither. 

I  questioned  him  closely,  and  after  he  be- 
came assured  that  I  was,  after  all,  his  true 
mistress,  lio  confessed  tliat  he  had  seen  you 
8afely  in  Viclcsburg,  and  then  spoke  of  you 
in  such  flattering  terms,  that  I  can  believe 
you  almost  an  angel,  even  if  you  are  a  Spy. 
He  was  greatly  troubled  in  spirit  when  I 
told  him  of  the  rumors  I  had  heard  in  re- 
gard to  you  while  in  Jackson.  I  suggested 
to  him  that  you  should,  if  possible,  be  fore- 
warned, even  if  he  had  to  return  to  Vicks- 
buro;.  He  was  struck  with  the  suggestion, 
and  was  eager  to  go  at  once. 

Before  he  was  in  readiness,  however,  an 
officer  rode  up  to  the  door,  and  requested 
to  see  the  negro,  Cuffee.  There  was  no  pos- 
sibility of  avoiding  him,  so,  Cuffee,  putting 
the  best  face  on  the  matter,  confronted  the 
officer,  who  asked  him  several  questions 
touching  his  journey  to  Vieksburg,  all  of 
which  the  negro  answered  promptly,  and 
with  no  attempt,  seemingly,  to  disguise  any- 
thing ;  but  studiously  avoided  knowing  an}'- 
thing  of  your  movements  after  you  entered 
within  the  walls  of  the  city,  and  especuilly 
in  regard  to  the  place  wliere  you  made  your 
quarters, 

The  officer  then  requested  my  permission 
to  let  tho  negro  go  with  him  and  others  to 
Vieksburg,  in  order  that  '  the  Spy '  might 
bo  identified,  in  case  any  one  were  arrested, 
supposed  to  be  her. 

1  saw  by  the  twinkle  of  Cuffee's  eye  that 
he  was  very  desirous  to  go,  not,  however, 
for  the  purpose  of  lending  aid  to  arrest  her, 
but  if  possible,  to  assist  her  to  escape. 

The  officer  allowed  him  thirty  minutes  to 
be  in  readiness,  meanwhile  I  have  had  an 
opportunity  to  exchange  a  few  words  with 
him — to  finish  this  letter — and  as  I   InteDd 


to  secrete  it  in  the  lining  of  his  coat,  I 
hope  it  may  get  safely  into  your  hands. 
Gud  bless  you,  whoever  you  are!  and  may 
you  esca[)e  those  in  pursuit,  will  be  the  con- 
stant prayer  of 

Your  grateful  friend, 

Mariett.v  MAia.\ND. 

P.  S.  I  shall  also  pray  that  the  time 
may  come  when  I  shall  be  permitted  to  see 
you,  and  in  some  manner  recompense  you 
for  the  ^-eat  good  you  have  done  me.' 

"  This  was  tnily  a  most  coinforting  epistle 
to  me,"  resumed  Virginia,  after  readinj;  it 
aloud  to  Colonel  Manly;  "for  my  con- 
science had  been  somewhat  troubled  in  be- 
ing made  to  play  the  part  of  impostor  as  well 
as  Spy.  In  truth,  I  should  not,  before  I 
read  that  postscript,  have  liked  to  have  had 
the  little  prayer  which  it  contained  answered. 
I  should  have  wilted  in  the  real  Miss  Mar- 
land's  presence.  But  now  a  load  had  been 
removed  from  my  heart,  and  I  could  have 
embraced  this  little  feminine  rebel,  whom  I 
had  so  successfully  personated  without  ever 
having  seen  her,  with  a  hearty  good  will. 

I  did  not  venture  forth  on  the  day  of 
receiving  this  very  satisfactory  and  consola- 
tory letter,  but  remained  alone  in  my  room, 
considering  the  mosteffisctual  mode  of  ob- 
tainins;  the  information  .1  sought,  and  of  baf- 
fling  those  who  had  been  in  search  of  the  fe- 
male Spy. 

On  the  next  day,  however,  having  assur- 
ance that  my  disguise  was  complete,  I  ven- 
tured out,  and  after  promenading  for  an 
hour  or  more  through  the  thronged  ave- 
nues of  the  city,  an  incident  occurred  which 
somewhat  jeopardized  my  liberty  and  accord- 
ingly changed  my  tactics. 

What  it  wius  and  what  its  results  were, 
the  reader  will  learn  by  reading  the  follow- 
ing chapter. 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


79 


CHAPTER  XV. 

IHE   VIVANCIERE   RESUMES    HER  NARRATIVE. 


"Although  the  sun  rose  in  majestic 
eplendor  on  the  morning  of  the  incident  I 
am  about  to  relate,  it  had  not  reached  its 
meridian  before  thick  clouds  darkened  the 
heavens,  betokening  an  impending  storm. 

I  had  wandered  at  considerable  distance 
from  my  quarters,  approaching  as  near  to 
the  battlemented  walls  as  safety  permitted, 
and  taking  observations  of  whatever  seemed 
to  be  of  importance. 

I  saw  that  a  storm  was  at  hand,  and  had 
begun  to  retrace  my  steps  when  big  drops 
of  rain  pattered  upon  the  pavements.  I 
hurried  on,  but  the  rain-drops  continued  to 
fall  faster  and  faster  at  each  step  I  took. 
That  I  should  be  drenched  through,  if  I  did 
not  soon  seek  a  shelter,  was  inevitable. 

Every  person  that  I  saw  seemed  to  be 
hurrying  on  to  gain  that  which  was  so  ne- 
cessary for  me,  and  soon  the  street  I  was 
traversing  became  quite  deserted. 

There  were  but  few  private  residences  in- 
dicating occupancy,  and  these  looked  so  in- 
hospitable that  I  refrained  from  asking  for 
a  shelter  while  the  storm  should  continue. 

At  length  I  found  myself  opposite  a  small 
public  house.  The  front  door  stood  open 
invitingly,  but  I  hesitated  to  advance  to- 
wards it.  A  man  observed  me  from  the 
window,  and  seeing  my  plight  came  out  and 
invited  me  to  come  in  out  of  the  rain. 

I  did  so,  and  as  I  crossed  the  hall  to  go 
into  the  parlor  to  which  he  led  me,  I  ob- 
served a  number  of  soldiers,  who  were  pass- 
ing a  comfortable  leisure  hour,  some  in  play- 
ing dominoes  and  others  in  playing  cards. 

I  beheld  among  them  a  familiar  faxje.  It 
was  that  of  Potiphar  Tomlinson  ! 

I  was  startled.  His  eye  had  met  mine. 
I  had  recognized  him.  Was  it  not  possible 
that  he  had  recognized  me  ?  How  could  I 
make  my  escape  without  being  observed  by 
him? 


The  rain  now  poured  in  torrents ;  and  to 
0-0  forth  at  such  a  time  would  at  least  huve 
caused  many  wondering  remarks.  To  re- 
main until  the  storm  was  over  seemed  to  le 
my  safest  course.  I  sat  down  and  began  to 
look  over  the  papers  lying  upon  the  table. 
In  doing  so  my  eyes  fell  upon  a  handbill, 
which,  I  assure  you  created  in  me  anything 
but  pleasurable  emotions.  I  took  it  up  and 
read  in  big,  staring  letters  : 


'ten    thousand    DOLJiARS    REWARD. 

The  above  sum  will  be  paid  to  any  per- 
son or  persons  who  will  cause  the  arrest  of  a 
certain  Female  Spy,  now  in  Vicksburg,  and 
bring  her  to  the  office  of  the  Provost  IMar- 
shal°  Said  Spy  is  about  twenty  years  of 
ao-e,  of  medium  height,  with  handsome  fea- 
tures, a  fine,  gi-aceful  figure,  and  walks  with 
surprising  elasticity  and  quickness  of  step. 
As  it  is  possible  she  may  appear  in  several 
diso-uises,  all  loyal  Confederates  will  scruti- 
nize all  strange  women  who  come  under 
their  observation.  Said  Spy  was  in  Jackson 
last  week,  and  is  known  to  have  come  direct 
to  Vicksburg.  , 

(Signed)  Provost*  Marshal. 

If  I  did  not  tremble  myself,  I  am  sure 
that  this  document  rustled  in  my  hands  ;  and 
I  was  about  replacing  it  upon  the  table  when 
the  gentleman  who  invited  me  in,  and  who 
I  supposed  was  the  landlord,  entered  the 

room. 

'  Just  what  I  was  looking  for,'  said  he, 
taking  up  the  handbill  offering  the  $10,000 
reward,  which  I  had  just  dropped  from  my 
hand.  '  I  have  my  eye  on  one  already  that 
I  think  answers  this  description.' 

'You  will  be  very  fortunate  to  get  so 
large  a  reward,'  I  remarked,  reassuring  my- 
self by  a  mosfe  resolute  effort ;  although  I 
thought  I  was  the  one  his  eye  tvas  really 
upon,  notwithstanding  the  description  was 
altogether  too  flattering  to  mean  so  indiffer- 
ent a  looking  person  as  myself. 

'Is  the  rain  quite  oven?'  I  ventured  to 
inquire. 

.  Not  yet — I  think  it  will  clear  up  soon,' 
be  said,  going  to  the  window  and  looking 


80 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


out.     '  You  can  remrun  here  as  long  as  you 

please.' 

I  thanked  him,  an(}  he  left  the  room  with- 
out any  scrutiny  of  niy  person. 

I  felt  relieved,  though  not  perfectly  satis- 
fied that  I  should  not  be  the  victim  that 
would  put  $10,000  in  his  purse. 

Pret^ently  it  ceased  raining,  and  I  aro.se 
to  depart ;  but  as  I  reached  the  door  a  faint- 
ing sickness  suddenly  seized  me,  for  I  again 
behold  the  features  of  that  abominable  Pot- 
iphar  Tomlinson,  with  his  eyes  staring  full 
upon  me.  I  almost  gasped  for  breath,  but 
I  managed  to  move  on  with  tottering  steps, 
and  gained  the  open  street. 

Had  I  been  at  a  safe  distance  from  that 
inn,  I  should  have  sunk  down  upon  the  first 
doorstep  that  came  in  my  way ;  but  my 
supposed  imminent  danger  supported  me 
now,  and  with  great  effoi-t  I  tottered  on, 
until,  feeling  assured  that  I  was  not  pursued, 
I  ventured  into  an  arched  passage-way,  lead- 
ing to  the  rear  of  a  house  which  seemed  to 
be  unoccupied,  and  seating  myself  upon  a 
box,  soon  partially  recovered  from  the  pecu- 
liar sensations  which  I  had  experienced. 

Presently  the  fall  of  footsteps  at  the  far- 
ther end  of  the  passage-way  startled  me, 
and  before  I  could  attempt  an  egress  a  man 
stood  before  me,  who  said  : 

'  ^^y  &^^^  woman,  what  do  you  want  ?  ' 

'  Sir — I  am  faint — faint  from — please  give 
me  only  a  cup  of  cold  water  and  a  crust  of 
bread,'  I  essayed  faintly,  scarcely  knowing 
what  to  say. 

'You  must  be  hungry,  indeed,'  he  said. 
'  Come  this  way ;  my  master  would  never 
permit  me  to  tui'n  a  hungry  woman  from  his 
door.' 

I  thought  it  was  a  white  man  who  had 
spoken  to  me,  but  on  coming  out  of  the 
passage  way  to  the  area  in  the  rear,  I  saw 
that  his  complexion  had  a  slightly  yellow 
tinge,  and  his  hair  was  of  raven  blackness 
and  heavy,  but  he  could  lw.ve  passed  for  a 
white  man  anywhere  out  of  the  slave  states. 
Following  him   to   the    kitchen,   he   made 


known  my  case  to  an  old  negrcsa,  of  almost 
charcoal  hue,  and  tJien  werlt  away. 

'  Poo'  chile — bory  hung;y — bary  faint — 
want  someting  to  eat ! '  said  she,  without 
seeming  to  address  her  conversation  to  me, 
while  slie  went  to  the  cupboard  and  brought 
forth  bread,  cake,  and  other  edibles,  and 
spread  them  before  me. 

'  Poo'  chile — eat  away — I  gib  you  cup  ob 
tea  in  one  lettle  minit ;'  and  she  commeno- 
ed  the  operation  of  steeping  some  tea.  '  Oh, 
dis  drefful  war — make  tea,  coffee,  eberyting 
so  bery  skurce.  I  wunner  how  poo'  wite 
fooks  libe  ? ' 

I  tried  to  eat,  but  not  a  mouthful  could 
I  force  beyond  my  lips.  The  tea,  which  was 
soon  prepared,  I  sipped  only,  but,  neverthe- 
less, I  soon  began  to  feel  its  revivifying  in- 
fluences. 

'  Poo'  chile,'  resumed  the  motherly  ne- 
gi-ess;  '  I  tink  you  are  not  bery  hungry.' 

'  I  am  much  better  now,'  said  I,  and  I 
added  my  thanks  for  her  kindness. 

'  But  you  no  eat  noffin,'  she  said  with  an 
enquiring  gaze.  Julius  said  you  were  al- 
most dyin'  wid  hunger.' 

'  I  was  very  faint ;  but  not  so  much  with 
hunger  as  with  fatiixue.' 

'  Poo'  chile  !  Dese  am  dreffal  times,  aint 
dey  ?  '  she  enquired,  suddenly  changing  the 
subject,  while  she  kept  busily  on  with  her 
work. 

'  Distressing.* 

'  Hor'ble  !  Wunner  wen  dis  war  will  be 
ober?' 

'  When  the  South  is  conquered — not  be- 
fore. ' 

'  Poo'  chile  !  tink  you  so?' 

'  I  am  quite  sure  of  it.' 

'  When  de  Souf  am  conquered,  eh,  eh  ? 
Den  wot  will  become  ob  all  de  poo'  wite 
fooks?' 

'  Why  do  you  not  ask  what  will  become 
of  all  the  colored  people  ?  ' 

'  AVell,  my  poo'  chile,  de  niggers  can  get 
along  somehow  or  oder,  any  way ;  birt  de 
poo'  wite  fooks,  dey  am  de  ones  to  be  moss 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


81 


consarned  about — dey  neber  seem  to  get 
along  when  dere  was  no  such  ting  as  war. 
Somehow  or  'noder,  I  alius  did  pity  dem 
poo'  wite  fooks.  Dey  habs  no  massas  nor 
missusses  to  look  arter  dem.' 

'  If  the  North  conquers  the  South,  the 
negroes  will  all  be  made  free.' 

'  Den  de  niggas  will  hab  to  be  pitied  as 
much  as  de  wite  fooks.  Wot  can  dey  do 
widout  massas  and  missuses  ?  Wot  am  to 
become  ob  me,  who  alus  had  a  good  home, 
kine  massa  and  kine  missus,  and  kine  mis- 
sees,  too  ?  Good  lor' !  I  wish  dem  Bobalish- 
unists  wud  stay  at  home,  and  not  come  down 
here  to  frighten  fooks  to  deff  wid  dem  big 
guns  and  dem  dinner-pots  full  ob  combustr 
upibles,  dat  dey  keep  firin'  into  de  city  !' 

'  But  they  are  the  friends  of  the  negro.' 

'  Dey  won't  be  so  good  a  fren'  to  me  as 
massa  am.' 

'  They  will  emancipate  you. ' 
.  'Dunno,  zacly,  wot  dat  is.' 

'  They  will  set  you  free.' 

'  Heaben  forbid  dat  dis  ole  gal  should 
eber  be  a  free  nigger.  Old  Aunt  Chloe  am 
well  enough  as  she  am;  and  I  tell  you  wot 
'tis,  she'd  radder  be  sold  to  a  Texas  planter 
dan  to  'soeiate  wid  common  free  niggers.' 

'  But  you  will  have  your  liberty  to  go  and 
come  as  you  please.' 

'  Dat  liberty  I  hab  now. ' 

'  But  you  cannot  then  be  subject  to  be 
sold  like  an  ox  or  an  ass.' 

'  I  can't  be  now.  Massa  would  no  more 
tink  ob  selliu'  ole  Aunt  Chloe  than  he  would 
tiuk  ob  sellin'  his  wife  and  chil'en.' 

'  That  is  because  you  are  useful  to  him.' 

*  I  shall  be  sorry  wen  de  day  comes  dat  I 
shall  not  be  useful  to  him.  Why  shouldn't 
I  be  useful  to  him  ?  He  treats  me  kinely ; 
gibs  me  eberyting  I  want ;  lets  me  go  ebery- 
whar  I  want  to,  an'  talces  de  bess  care  ob 
me  when  I'm  sick.  Who  will  do  all  dat 
for  ole  Aumt  Chloe  when  she  habs  no  massa  ? 
Arnswer  me  dat.' 

That  was  truly  a  difficult  question  to  com- 
bat satisfactorily  to  a  mind  imbued  with  the 


kindliest  feelings  towards  a  kind  master  and 
mistress,  and  which  had  never  known  the 
want  of  anything  that  could  add  to  one's 
comfort. 

'  I  am  glad  you  are  so  well  provided  for, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  richly  deserve 
it ;  but  for  all  that,  there  is  a  higher  and 
nobler  destiny  for  your  race  in  this  free  re- 
public than  in  being  subject  to  the  whims 
and  caprices  of  masters  and  mistresses.' 

'  Dunno  noffin  about  dat.  Neber  know'd 
what  that  higher  and  nobler  destiny  was. 
Hab  heard  much  talk  'bout  gibin'  us  our 
freedom  and  all  dat ;  and  wot  a  bery  fine 
ting  'twould  be ;  but  neber  heard  dem  saj 
zacly  wot's  gwan  to  come  ob  us;  wot  wa 
gwan  to  do  when  we  get  our  freedom  ;  how 
we  am  to  be  better  off  dan  we  am  now.' 

*  You  will  be  independent  and  work  for 
whom  you  please,'  I  suggestedf. 

'  Ah,  poo'  chile,'  said  the  negress,  sha- 
king her  head.  *  Dat's  jess  what  de  poo* 
wite  fooks  hab,  independence  to  do  as  dey 
please,  and  dat's  wot  de  matter.  It  makes. 
moss  ob  dem  so  poo'  dat  dey  can't  hardlj 
get  nuff  to  eat  to  keep  dem  from  starbation. 
We  culud  people  don't  want  no  such  libertj 
as  dat ;  if  you  Yankees  aint  gwan  to  better 
our  condition  when  you  take  away  our  mas- 
sas  and  missusses,  -you  had  better  lef  us. 
alone.' 

I  found  that  it  was  no  use  endeavoring- 
to  make  a  proselyte  of  this  really  intelligent 
and  benevolent-hearted  black  woman.  Th& 
great  point  with  her  was,  I  soon  learned,. 
that  if  the  emancipationists  could  not  really 
ameliorate  the  condition  of  the  blacks  bjr 
freeing  them,  and  demostrate  clearly  how  it 
was  to  be  done,  there  was  great  danger  that,, 
instead  of  doing  for  them  any  practical  good,. 
it  would  work  nothing  but  evil. 

I  then  presented  the  matter  in  a  moral 
and  religious  aspect,  but  with  no  better  re- 
sult, for  she  replied  in  these  terms  : 

'  If  it  be  de  will  ob  Heaben  dat  we  shall 
be  free,  de  A'mighty  wud'nt  send  fightin'^ 
men  and  big  guns  down  here  for  dat  pur- 


82 


VIRGINIA  GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


po?e,  and  eider  kill  us  or  friten  us  haff  to 
defF.  You  tink  dat  de  Yankees  am  doin' 
God's  service.  Now  if  dat  be  so,  ob  cour.>^o 
we  shall  be  better  off  in  dis  world.  It 
shuahly  can't  be  doin'  God's  serv'ice  to 
make  us  wuss  off.  Dat  am't  common  sense. 
But  tell  me,  poo'  chile,  how  it  happens  dat 
you  am  such  a  good  fren  to  dera  dat  wish  to 
do  so  much  good  to  de  negroes  ? ' 

This  query  took  me  rather  by  surprise. 
I  had  quite  forgotten  my  real  position,  and 
I  hesitated. 

'  Golly,  poo'  chile  ! '  she  said,  quite  start- 
led ;  '  if  any  ob  de  sojers  or  wite  fooks  hear 
you  talk  so  in  Vicksburg,  dey'd  put  you  in 
prison,  shuah  !  ' 

'  What  do  you  suppose  they  would  care 
for  what  a  poor  girl  says  ?  Besides,  I  have 
not  uttered  a  word  disloyal  to  the  confeder- 
acy. I  sometimes  talk  to  hear  myself,  and 
sometimes  to  draw  others  out — the  same  as 
I  have  you  now.' 

'  Dar  can  be  no  harm  in  dat,  shuah.  But 
in  dese  times  we  all  hab  to  be  very  keerful 
what  we  say  or  do.' 

I  arose  to  depart.  • 

'  Hab  sum  mo'  tea,  poo'  chile  ? ' 

*  No,  I  thank  you.  I  am  greatly  obliged 
to  you  for  what  I  have  already  had.  I  am 
not  faint  now,  and  shall  be  enabled  to  reach 
home  without  stopping  again.' 

'  How  far  do  you  lib  from  dis,  poo'  chile  ?  ' 

'  Less  than  a  mile.' 

'  Are  your  parents  bery  poo'  ?  '  she  asked, 
quite  concerned. 

'  We  manage  to  get  along  quite  comfort- 
ably.' 

'  Hab  dis  loaf  ob  bread  to  take  along  wid 
you,'  she  said,  taking  one  from  the  cup- 
board. 

'  No,  I  thank  you.' 

'Jess  for  de  small  chil'en.' 

'  I  happen  to  be  the  smallest.' 

*  I  tank  de  Lor'  dat  sum  ob  de  poo'  wite 
fooks  hab  get  no  leetle  chil'en,'  she  said,  in 
an  almost  prayerful  manner. 

This  conversation  was  brought  to  a  close 


by  the  return  of  the  negro  man  whom  I  had 
met  in  the  passage  way.  He  seemed  a  good 
deal  e.xcited,  and  I  thought  by  his  manner 
that  he  was  not  a  little  disappointed  to  find 
I  had  not  yet  gone. 

'  Wot's  up  now.  Pomp  ?  '  enquired  Aunt 
Chloe  of  the  dignified  slave,  whose  complex- 
ion was  so  near  that  of  a  white  man. 

I  thought  that  while  she  spoke  the  man 
was  gazing  at  me  with  a  scrutinizing  eye, 
but  was  not  quite  certain ;  for  to  tell  the 
truth,  I  scarcely  dared  to  look  him  in  the 
face.     I  kept  my  eye  upon  the  negress. 

'  Dar's  sumfin  de  matter.  Pomp,  shuah. 
I  can  see  it  in  dem  eyes.    Now  wot  am  it  Y  ' 

'  Tlie  soldiers  are  arresting  women,'  he 
replied. 

I  did  not  move,  but  I  felt  as  if  an  icy  dart 
had  struck  to  my  heart. 

'  'Restin'  women  !  Wer — wcr — wat  dat 
for?  '  stammered  out  Chloe. 

'  Every  strange  woman  that  is  found  walk- 
ing the  street,  if  she  cannot  give  a  satisfac- 
tory account  of  herself,  they  drag  before  the 
Provost  Marshal,'  said  the  negro,  with  an 
accent  which  I  felt  was  meant  more  for  my 
ear  than  Chloe's. 

'  Lor'  massy.  Pomp  !  Wot  hab  de  women 
ben  doin'  now?'  ejaculated  the  negress. 

'  They  are  after  a  spy.' 

'  Wer — wer — wat  ?  ' 

'  A  spy — a  Yankee  spy.' 

'  Wei,  wel ;  wot  de  women  hab  to  do  wid 
dat,  Pomp  ? ' 

'  She's  a  female  spy.' 

'  It  arnt  pos.siblo,  Pomp  ?  ' 

'  If  not  a  female,  she  wears  female  clothes.' 

'  Wcl,  why  don't  dey  cotch  her?' 

'  That's  what  they're  trying  to  do,  aunty  ; 
they  have  had  a  dozen  or  more  up,  but  they 
have  had  to  discharge  them  all.  She  ap- 
pears too  smart  for  them,  and  as  slie  has 
given  them  the  slip  thus  far,  I  hope  she  will 
escape  altogether.' 

'  Be  keerful,  Pomp  ! '  warned  Chloe, 
'  doy'll  hab  you  up  afo'  long,  if  you  don't 
bridle  up  dat  tongue  ob  yours.     De  bess 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


83 


way  am,  if  you  can't  say  sumfin  good  ob 
dem,  don't  say  noffin  at  all.  Am't  dat  de 
bess  way,  poo'  chile  ?  ' 

I  scarcely  dared  to  make  any  reply,  for 
it  was  only  with  difficulty  that  I  could  even 
keep  my  teeth  from  chattering.  I  merely 
said  '  yes.' 

'  Lor'  massy,  poo'  cliile ! '  exclaimed 
Chloe,  as  if  a  new  and  astounding  thought 
had  penetrated  her  brain  ;  you  muss  not  go 
into  de  street  now ;  dey  will  'rest  you  for 
a  strange  woman.  You  take  dat  chair  agin, 
and  sot  yousef  down.' 

'  Yes  ;  whoever  you  are, '  said  the  negro, 
significantly,  '  go  not  into  the  street  now. ' 

I  obeyed  Chloe's  advice  and  resumed  my 
seat. 

'  No  harm  can  surely  befal  me  by  going 
out,'  I  ventured  to  say. 

'  Do  not  trust  yourself,'  he  replied. — 
'  Whether  you  are  innocent  or — or — a  spy, 
you  will  be  ••ertain  to  fall  into  their  hands. ' 

*  Ob  course  you  will,  poo'  chile,'  added 
Chloe.  '  Whateber  Pomp  says  am  gospel 
trufe.     Pomp  alus  knows.' 

'And  let  me  say  to  you,  young  woman,' 
remarked  he  who  was  called  Pomp,  '  it  would 
be  better  for  you  if  you  were  miles  distant 
from  this  vicinity.' 

'  I  do  not  see  the  force  of  your  remark,' 
said  I. 

'  Suppose  this  house  should  be  searched 
for  a  person  answering  your  description  ?  ' 

'  Then  I  suppose  they  will  do  with  me  as 
with  other  women  they  have  taken  before 
the  provost  marshal,'  said  I. 

'  No,  dey  won't  do  no  such  ting,'  remon- 
strated Aunt  Chloe,  spiritedly;  'not  wile 
de  poo'  chile  am  in  dis  house.' 

*  Then  find  some  place  to  secrete  her,  and 
quickly,  too  ;  for  the  hunters  are  after  their 
game,  and  they  will  n/jt  fail  to  scent  it  here.' 

'  Why,  why,  wot  you  mean.  Pomp  ! ' 
'  I  mean  that  this  girl  is  in  danger  of  fall- 
ing into  the  hands  of  the ' 

A   ringing  of  the  front   door  bell,  and 


heavy  footsteps  heard  in  the   passage  way, 
cut  short  Pompey's  speech. 

'Dis  way  chile  !  dis  way — quick!'  said 
Aunt  Chloe,  in  hurried  but  almost  inaudible 
tones,  as  she  seized  my  hand  and  half  drag- 
ged me  across  the  floor,  into  an  entry,  and 
then  up  the  back  stairs  to  a  small  bedroom, 
which  Chloe  informed  me  was  her  room. 

'  In  here — quick  ! '  she  urged.  '  Now  if 
you  don't  keer  bout  habin'  dem  sojers  cotch 
you,  de  bess  ting  for  you  to  do  am  to  dis- 
guise yousef  into  a  culud  gal.  Dar's  one 
ob  my  ole  wigs  up  dar  ;  an'  in  dar  am  plenty 
ob  ole  dresses  blongin'  to  me ;  an'  dar's  a 
piece  ob  burnt  cork  dat  I  sometmies  use 
wen  I  tink  I  look  a  leetle  faded.  Den  if 
you  git  into  bed  and  make  bleeve  you  bery 
sick,  I'm  shuah  dey'll  all  make  fools  ob  dar- 
selbs  and  go  way  tinkiu'  bery  much  so. 
Don't  be  'fraid,  poo'  chile.  I'll  hab  dem 
sa'ch  all  ober  de  house,  up  stairs  and  down, 
afo'  I'll  'low  dem  to  cum  in  Aunt  Chloe's 
room.' 

With  these  instructions,  hastily  uttered, 
Chloe  darted  from  the  room,  and,  no  doubt, 
was  busily  engaged  in  her  laundry  occupa- 
tions when  Pompey  finally  admitted  the  in- 
truders into  the  house. 

I  hastily  metamorphosed  mj'-self  from  a 
comely  white  girl  into  a  dingy,  shiny-skin- 
ned mulatto  wench.  Before  my  toilet  was 
quite  complete  I  heard  quite  a  loud  voice 
saying — 

'  I  know  she  must  be  somewhere  secreted 
in  this  house.  Every  nook,  corner  and  crev- 
ice, as  well  as  every  room,  must  be  care- 
fully searched.' 

'  Can't  say  dat  she  aint  hidin'  somwhar 
roun'  de  house,'  I  heard  Chloe  say.  '  Wite 
fooks  do  sech  strange  tings  sence  de  war 
begun.  If  she  am  here  widout  leabe,  I 
hope  dat  you  will  find  her,  and  Chloe  will 
help  you  do  it.' 

'  Oh,  we  shall  find  her ;  she  can't  escape 
us.  No  one  can  leave  the  house  without 
falling  into  the  hands  of  a  sentinel ; '   said 


84 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


the  same  voice,  wbich  seemed  slightly  fa- 
miliar to  me. 

*Don'  speak  so  loud,  massa,  'case  my 
poo'  long  loss  sister's  chile  am  quite  sick 
wid  a  feber,  an'  de  doctor  say  she  musn't 
be  disturbed  till  she  gets  to  be  conwalesent,' 
I  heard  Chloe  caution  as  she  came  in  the 
vicinity  of  her  sleeping  apartment.  '  Step 
8of 'ly,'  she  added,  'case  de  doctor  say  dat 
sleep  am  de  bess  medcsin  dat  she  can  hab.' 

'  Wliich  is  your  rpomj'  asked  the  person 
whom  the  negress  was  guiding  around. 

'  Dat,  dere ;  bess  not  go  in  dar ;  please 
not,  massa,'  pleaded  Chloe.  '  I'll  lef  you 
jess  look  in,  but  you  musn't  make  de  least- 
est  bit  ob  noise.' 

The  door  stood  a  little  ajar,  and  I  could 
hear  them  softly  approaching  it ;  and  pres- 
ently I  could  distinctly  hear  the  heavy  res- 
pirations of  one  who  seemed  to  stand  directly 
over  me. 

This  was  a  painful  moment  to  me.  I  felt 
my  heart  almost  in  my  mouth,  and  the  blood 
seemed  to  freeze  in  my  veins.  Yet  I  kept 
as  rigidly  still  as  if  I  had  been  a  block  of 
marble,  instead  of  an  agitated  frame  of 
bones,  muscles  and  nerves,  as  I  was.  I  held 
my  breath  for  a  long,  long  time,  as  it  seemed 
to  me,  and  when  I  did  again  respire,  I  felt 
no  longer  the  presence  of  one  I  conceived 
to  be  a  dire  enemy. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  few  moments,  I  ven- 
tured to  open  my  eyes  and  to  gaze  about 
the  room.  There  was  surely  no  one  there 
then.  The  tramp  of  footsteps  on  the  stairs, 
in  the  entries,  and  in  the  rooms,  soon  ceased, 
and  all  the  noise  that  could  then  be  heard 
was  the  sound  of  human  voices  talking:  in 
the  kitchen ;  and  one  of  the  voices  I  was 
quite  sure  was  that  of  Chloe. 

Feeling  that  all  immediate  danger  was 
passed,  I  strove  to  quiet  my  excited  nerves, 
and  as  I  was  greatly  fatigued  by  exertion, 
I  soon  fell  asleep. 

How  long  I  slept  I  know  not.  My  first 
reiurn   to   half  consciousness   brought  my 


eyes  in  the  glare  of  a  lamp  held  by  a  sable 
hand. 

'  Wake  up,  poo'  chile ;  slep'  long  nuf ; ' 
were  the  words  that  greeted  me  from  my 
black  protectress.  '  De  sojers  am  all  gone 
'cept  one,  an'  he  aint  no  'count  any  way.' 

'  Thanks,  ray  good  woman,  for  your  kind- 
ness,' said  I ;  '  and  it  shall  not  go  unre- 
warded.* 

'  You  muss  get  up  an'  go  now — it's  moss 
mornin'.' 

'  Can  it  be  possible  ?  How  long  have  I 
slept?' 

'  Ten,  leben  hour,  Now  am  de  bess 
chance  to  'scape,  'fore  dcy  send  another 
sent'nel  to  guard  de  door.' 

'  Do  you  mean  to  say  that  the  house  has 
been  guarded  by  soldiers  all  night  ?  ' 

'  By  one  sentinel  at  a  time,  only.  De 
lass  one  I  hab  got  down  stairs  in  de  wood- 
shed, an'  he  am  ob  no  more  use  dan  do  logs 
ob  wood  dat  am  scattered  'bout  him.  He 
am  bery  fond  of  whiskey  but  he  am  too 
drank  to  drink  any  mo'.  Come  poo'  chile, 
hurry  up  !  Dar  aint  much  time  to  lose.' 

I  was  wide  awake  now,  and  proceeded,  at 
Chloe's  request,  to  wash  the  smut  from  my 
face,  and  to  put  on  a  grey  uniform,  which 
she  had  procured  for  me. 

I  had  so  often  donned  the  blue  jacket  and 
trowsers,  that  Chloe  was  quite  astonished  to 
see  how  kindly  I  took  to  them.  She  had 
not  forgotten  the  cap,  nor  belts,  for  I  per- 
ceived that  it  was  intended  that  I  should  at 
onco  become  an  active  rebel  soldier. 

I  followed  her  down  into  the  kitchen, 
thence  to  the  wood-shed,  where  I  beheld  a 
confederate  soldier  lying  at  full  length  on 
the  floor,  in  a  beastly  state  of  intoxication. 

I  gave  one  glance  at  his  features.  That 
glance  startled  me — for  the  drunken  soldier 
was  none  other  than  one  of  my  discarded 
lovers, — Potiphar  Tomlinson. 

His  gun  was  lying  near  him  with  bayonet 
fixed,  which  weapon  Chloe  said  I  must  take, 
and  stand  guard  in  front  of  the  house,  until 
I  saw  a  clear  opportunity  to  effect  my  escape  ; 


SPY  OF  THE  GRAND  ARMY. 


85 


adding,  that  at  four  o'clock,  tlie  relief  guard 
would  make  their  grand  rounds. 

'  What  o'clock  is  it  now "/  '  I  encjuired. 
'  Jes'  twenty  minutes  to  four,'   replied 
Chloe.       '  Golly,    you'd  better   hurry,    or 
you'll   hab  to  pass  you'sef  off  for  dat  poo' 
sent'nelia  de  wood-shed.' 

The  force  of  her  remark  was  all  the  more 
to  be  seen,  when  the  thought  occurred  to  me 
that  Potiphar  Tomlinson  was  well-nigh  six 
feet  in  stature,  while  mine  was  no  more  than 
an  ordinary  sized  woman's. 

Taking  a  hurried  adieu  of  Chloe,  I  passed 
through  the  passage-way,  and  without,  at 
first,  looking  either  lo  the  right  or  left,  com- 
menced pacing  the  fifty-feet  beat,  being  the 
width  of  the  premises  of  the  mansion  which 
had  thus  afibrded  me  protection  from  those 
who  were  so  vigilant  in  their  endeavors  to 
apprehend  the  Female  Spy, 

It  was  now  daybreak,  and  after  I  had 
twice  paced  my  beat,  I  ventured  to  cast  my 
eyes  up  and  down  the  street,  to  see  what 
obstacles  there  might  be  in  the  way  of  my 
making  a  successful  desertion  from  my  pres- 
ent post.  The  streets  were  clear  of  pedes- 
trians, but  there  were  two  or  three  market 
wagons  moving  slowly  through  it,  which  to 
avoid,  I  thought  it  best  to  remain  until  they 
were  lost  to  sight.  They  presently,  one  by 
one  disappeared  by  turning  into  other  ave- 
nues. Now  was  my  chance  for  escape  !  and 
not  wishing  to  be  encumbered  with  a  mus- 
ket, I  brought  it  from  my  shoulder,  and  was 
about  to  rest  it  against  an  ornamental  shade 
tree  in  front  of  the  house,  when  my  quick 
sense  of  hearing  detected  the  measured  tramp 
of  soldiers  approaching,  though  nothing 
moving  was  visible  to  the  naked  eye. 

I  listened  intently  for  a  few  moments, 
when,  to  my  utter  consternation,  a  guard  of 
soldiers  walking  in  single  file,  and  comman- 
ded by  a  subordinate  officer,  turned  into  the 
street  from  an  adjoining  one,  runnmg  at  a 
right  angle,  and  came  tramping  du'ectly 
towards  me. 

Quickly  I  again  brought  the  musket  to  a 


shoulder,  and  almost  simultaneously  I  heai-d 
a  neighboring;  clock  toll  out  the  hour  of  four. 

Here  was  another  dilemma !  But  I  knew 
something,  by  observation,  of  guard-moun- 
ting, and  nerved  myself  up  to  the  hazardous  • 
exigency.  Before  I  had  twice  paced  my 
beat  they  were  within  ten  yards  of  me.  I 
straightened  myself  up  to  my  utmost  height, 
almost  standing  on  tip-toe,  brought  my  mus- 
ket to  a  charge,  and  cried  out,  in  as  mascu- 
line a  voice  as  my  organs  of  speech  would 
permit : 

'  Who  goes  there  ?' 

*  Grand  Rounds  ! '  was  the  reply. 

*  Advance,  Grand  Rounds,  and  give  the 
countersign.' 

A  sergeant  advanced  towards  me.  Our 
muskets  crossed,  and  he  whispered  hoarsely 
in  my  ear, — '  Death  to  Spies  and  Traitors/ ' 
seeming  to  emphasize  the  word  '  Spies.' 

Why  I  did  not  drop  my  musket  and  sink 
to  the  earth  has  ever  been  a  wonder  to  me. 
But  something  nerved  my  arm,  gave  courage 
to  my  soul,  and  put  me  in  full  possession  of 
my  faculties. 

There  was  nothing  for  me  to  say  or  do  but 
to  fall  in  the  rear  of  the  relief  guard,  while 
another  was  placed  sentinel  over  the  suspect- 
ed house. 

When  detection  then  and  there  seemed 
imminent,  why  was  it  that  it  was  not  imme- 
diately discovered  that  I  was  not  the  tall, 
gawky-looking  sentinel  that  had  been  posted 
there  ?  And  if  I  was  detected  without  being 
apprised  of  it,  why  was  it  that  I  was  placed 
in  the  rear  of  the  guard  like  any  other  sen- 
tinel who  had  done  his  duty,  instead  of  find- 
ing my  two  wrists  encircled  together  by  iron 
'  bracelets,' and  a  special  guard  detailed  to 
take  me  before  some  high  officer,  or  to  the 
guard-house  ? 

My  theory  was  simply  this  : — that  the 
sergeant  tliat  now  led  us  was  not  the  same 
one  who  had  commanded  the  preceeding 
relief,  and  that  the  privates  were  not  the 
same  ;  or  if  any  of  them  were  of  the  guard 
just  relieved,  they  were  too  stupid  to  ob- 


8G 


VIRGINIA    GHAIIAM  ;    OR,    THE 


serve  the  marlccd  difference  between  tlie 
sentinel  ■who  had  actually  been  posted  anjj 
the  sentinel  thus  relieved.  This  theory 
added  to  my  courage,  and  it  might  possibly 
be  of  advanta;!;e  to  nie  on  reaching  the  head- 
quarters  of  the  guard. 

In  the  course  of  seven  or  eight  minutes 
wo  had  passed  through  the  great  gate  lead- 
ing to  a  series  of  prison-looking  buildings, 
v/liioh  constituted  the  chief  barracks  of  the 
citadel. 

"We  entered  the  dark  and  gloomy-looking 
guard-house,  and  were  immediately  dismiss- 
ed. No  one  took  any  particular  notice  of 
me,  for  all  appeared  too  anxious  to  get  to  their 
respective  quarters.  I  noticed,  however, 
that  two  or  three  of  them,  separately,  forth- 
with marched  out  of  the  great  gate,  halting, 
however  to  give  the  countersign  to  one  of  the 
brace  of  sentinels  guarding  it. 

What  should  prevent  my  passing  out,  too  V 
I  had  the  countersign  !  I  could  not  forget 
those  words  which  grated  so  harshly  upon 
my  car  : — Death  to  Spies  and  Traitors  ! ' 

I  immediately  acted  upon  the  suggestion. 
With  a  resolute  heart  and  a  bold  determin- 
ed air,  I,  too,  bent  my  steps  towards  the 
barrack  gate.  The  sentinel  challenged — I 
whispered,  with  emphasis,  '■Death  to  Spies 
and  Traitors ! '  and  passed  into  the  open 
street,  after  perfonning  the  part  of  aeon- 
federate  soldier  for  one  hour. 

I  took  what  seemed  to  be  the  shortest 
route  to  my  own  quiet  quarters,  and  just  as 
the  first  rays  of  the  rising  sun  were  gilding 
the  spires,  towers  and  frowqing  walls  of  the 
'  Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi,'  I  entered  the 
street  on  which  the  house  of  Madame  Ram- 
sey stood,  and  in  a  few  minutes  afterwards 
stood  beneath  its  hospitable  and  really 
loyal  roof.' 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

MORE     SURPRISES A     TERRIFIC     EOMRARD- 

MENT MORALS     OF      THE    BELEAGUERED 

CITY. 

"  You  grow  wearisome  in  listening  to  my 
narrative.  Colonel  Manly,"  said  Virginia  to 
me,  as  I  drew  a  long  breath  of  relief  on 
learning  that  she  had  so  signally  outwitted 
the  hunters  that  had  been  so  closely  on  her 
trail,  and  was  once  more  in  a  comparative 
place  of  safety,  though  still  encompassed  by 
dangers. 

"  No,  Virginia — far  from  being  wearied," 
I  replied  ;  "  your  many  hair-breadth  escapes 
border  on  the  marvellous.  If  any  person 
but  yourself  had  related  to  me  such  a  se- 
ries of  adventures,  occurring  in  so  short  a 
space  of  time,  I  should  have  required  much 
more  credulity  than  I  possess  to  have  enter- 
tained them  for  truth  a  moment." 

"I  have  no  motive.  Colonel  Manly,  to 
impose  upon  you  anything  of  so  absurd  a 
nature  that  it  cannot,  by  any  possibility,  be 
true." 

"And  I,  Virginia,  believe  it  to  be  im- 
possible for  you  to  tell  me  an  untruth  ;  and 
I  assure  you  that  I  have  been  so  intensely 
interested  in  your  narrative  thus  far,  that  I 
am  still  more  anxious  to  hear  of  your  sul)- 
sequent  career  in  the  enemy's  stronghold. 
But  do  not  continue  the  recital  if  you  feel 
in  the  least  fatigued." 

"Fatigued!"  she  repeated;  "just  as 
tliougli  a  woman  could  tire  of  talking.  If 
you  will  listen  I  will  relate  one  moie  series 
of  incidents  which  shortly  after  befel  me,  for 
you  must  know  the  nature  of  my  mission 
necessarily  led  me  into  many  awkward  and 
perplexing  situations,  and  sometimes  most 
dangerous  ones. 

For  the  two  following  days  after  my  re- 
cent narrow  escape,  I  kept  myself  closely 
confined  to  my  quarters,  employing  my  time 
chiefly  in  writing  and  drawing.  Besides,  I 
had  other  reasons  for  keeping  close,  not  the 
least  of  which  was  to  be  prepared  for  an  un- 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


87 


dertaking  that  I  felt  necessary  for  tlio  grand 
acconiplisbment  of  my  mission  witbin  the 
enemy's  stronghold. 

On  tho  third  morning  Mrs.  Ramsey,  wlio, 
in  fact,  was  my  only  attendant,  and  I  might 
say  my  confidant, — although  we  seemed  to 
understand  each  other  without  much  conver- 
sation— came  into  my  room  and  placed  in 
my  hands  a  parcel  containing  clothing,  say- 
ing, simply,  that,  although  the  clothes  had 
come  a  day  later  than  agreed  upon,  all  pos- 
si])le  despatch  had  been  used  to  get  them 
ready.  This  apology  was  entirely  superflu- 
ous, for  no  agreement  had  been  made  with 
me  in  reference  to  any  clothing. 

She  also  placed  in  my  hand  a  sealed  en- 
velope, without  any  address,  which,  as  soon 
as  she  retired  from  the  room,  I  opened.  It 
contained  a  brief  note  and  also  an  unsealed 
envelope.     The  former  was  as  follows  : 

'  Dear  George, — A  situation  as  clerk  at 
the  general's  head-quarters  being  now  va- 
cant, I  have  no  doubt  you  can  obtain  it  if 
you  apply  between  the  hours  of  11  A.  M. 
and  2  P.  M.  Enclosed  is  a  letter  from  a 
high  source,  which  will  serve  as  your  cre- 
dentials. 

(Signed)  Your  friend, 

Stephen   Cleves. 

The  unsealed  letter  was  in  the  following 
terms : 

'  Dear  General, — The  bearer,  George 
Temple,  is  a  young  man  of  excellent  char- 
acter, and  from  one  of  the  first  families  of 
Virginia.'  He  is  exempt  from  active  service 
by  reason  of  having  lost  an  eye  at  Bull  Run. 
He  is  desirous  of  still  serving  in  the  good 
cause  in  some  capacity,  and  as  he  is  admi- 
rably qualified  for  any  clerkship's  position, 
I  cheerfully  recommend  him  to  you,  know- 
ing how  difficult  it  is  to  secure  the  services 
of  really  competent  clei-ks. 

(Signed)  Johnson, 

Major-Gen'l  C.  S.  A. 
To  Major-Gen.  P ,   Com'dg  G.  S.  A. 

forces  at  Vichshurg. 

Although  I  had  never  heard  of  Stephen 
Cleves,  I  knew  whose  hand  penned  the  note 


signed  by  this  name.  This  was  sufficient 
guarantee  that  these  documents  had  fallen 
into  the  right  hands.  I  then  examined  the 
parcel  that  madame  had  left,  and  found  it 
comprised  a  complete  suit  of  light  clothing, 
suitable  for  the  season,  and  just  adapted  for 
a  smart,  dapper-looking  young  clerk.  There 
were  also  cap,  boots,  neck-ties  and  gloves, 
likewise  a  curly  wig,  and  a  small,  indescrib- 
able article,  made  of  green  silk,  with  narrow 
ribbon  strings,  which  would  have  exceed- 
ingly puzzled  me  to  have  divined  its  use,  or 
to  have  given  it  a  name,  had  not  the  unfor- 
tunate George  Temple  lost  an  eye  at  Bull 
Run. 

"Which  eye  ?  As  it  fitted  the  left  eye 
best  I  determined  the  left  eye  it  should  be. 

George  Temple  !  I  had  never  heard  ex- 
actly that  name  before,  but  it  was  one  that 
I  must  become  familiar  with,  and  by  no 
means  so  far  forget  it  that  my  lips  would 
hesitate  to  utter  it  when  necessary,  or  hesi- 
itate  in  making  answer  to  it  when  called 
upon. 

When  I  had  again  thoroughly  metamor- 
phosed myself,  and  stood  before  a  full-length 
mirror  gazing  at  the  reflection  of  '  George 
Temple,'  a  rather  fine  looking  young  man, 
with  a  slight  downy  moustache  shading  the 
upper  lip,  and  with  a  redundancy  of  curly 
brown  hair,  and  a  green  blind  over  the  left 
eye,  I  could  not  avoid  the  thought  that  I 
possessed  one  great  quality  essential  to  the 
successful  versatile  actress ;  and  that  was  the 
ability  to  get  myself  up  into  any  shape  re- 
quired, although  this  last  change  I  had  but 
little  to  do  with. 

I  contemplated  this  individual  in  the  mir- 
ror for  a  considerable  length  of  time.  I 
think  I  never  admired  him  so  much  before. 
If  it  hadn't  been  for  the  disfigurement  of 
the  patch  over  the  left  eye,  I  think  he  would, 
have  been  quite  irresistible  to  any  suscepti- 
ble young  damsel. 

Full  of  confidence,  and  with  as  little  show 
of  vanity  as  possible,  I,  George  Temple, 
sallied  forth  into  the  beleaguered  city,  and 


88 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


wended  my  way  towards  the  fine  looking 
building  which  I  had  learned  previously  was 
the  head-quarters  of  the  general  to  whom 
was  entrusted  the  holding  of  the  grand  key 
to  the  navigation  of  the  Father  of  Waters. 

I  passed  many  Soldiers  and  civilians  on 
my  way,  whom  I  thought  gifve  me  more  than 
a  casual  glance  ;  but  it  was  reserved  for  the 
ladies  to  stare  at  me  as  I  passed  by,  and  to 
receive  their  scnitinizing  gaze  long  after  I 
had  passed  them. 

For  the  soldiers  and  civilians  I  cared 
nothing  (for  I  had  my  credentials  in  my 
pocket)  ;  but  I  must  confess  that  I  was  not 
a  little  annoyed  at  the  sharp  and  curious 
glances  I  received  from  the  ladies.  I  know 
they  wondered,  and  asked  themselves  what 
manner  of  man  I  was  ?  and  I  felt  that  I  could 
almost  sec  upon  their  countenances  a  suspi- 
cion that  I  was  not  of  the  sex  which  my 
habiliments  indicated. 

However,  I  gave  little  heed  to  their  quiz- 
zical stares,  and  continuing  on  soon  found 
myself  before  the  edifice  occupied  by  Gen- 
ral  P as  his  head-quarters. 

I  boldly  pushed  my  way  through  a  large 
number  of  officers,  of  high  and  low  degree, 
privates,  civilians  and  servants,  all  waiting 
cither  to  gain  an  audience  of  the  ruling  power 
in  the  citadel,  or  to  get  their  business  done 
through  subordinate  officials  of  that  same 
power. 

Like  all  others,  my  progress  was  arrested 
by  sentinels  guarding  the  door  ;  and  even 
before  I  was  permitted  to  cross  the  threshold 
I  had  to  make  known  my  business,  and  even 
give  up  my  papers  to  an  officer  whose  busi- 
ness it  was  to  communicate  between  appli- 
cants seeking  an  interview  with  the  com- 
manding general  and  the  gcneial  himself. 

As  good  luck  would  have  it,  the  officer 
Eoon  returned  and  bade  me  follow  him.  He 
conducted  me  up  one  flight  of  stairs  into 
a  room  where  there  were  several  officers 
writing  at  desks,  ajid  one  other  officer  to 
whom  I  was  introduced  as  the  person  who 


had  just  sent  up  his  application  and  creden- 
tials for  a  clcrksliip. 

'  The  general  will  see  you,  Mr.  Temple,' 
said  he.     '  Walk  this  way.' 

Through  an  entrv-way  and  an  ante-room, 
and  into  a  large,  square,  elegantly  furnished 
room  I  was  ushered,  and  into  the  presence 
of  a  fine-looking  man,  a  little  above  the 
medium  height,  dressed  in  the  full  uniform 
of  a  major-general  of  the  confederate  army. 

In  other  parts  of  the  room  were  several 
officers,  apparently  of  his  staflf,  arrayed  in 
full  grey  uniform,  with  all  the  glittering 
stripes,  stars,  bars  and  buttons  that  their  re- 
spective ranks  would  entitle  them  to  wear. 

The  general  was  seated  before  a  desk,  and 
upon  it,  I  readily  perceived,  were  my  cre- 
dentials, lying  open. 

He  turned  his  head  slowly  around,  and 
gazed  upon  me  for  a  few  moments,  when  he 
arose,  approached  and  said  : 

'  Are  you  the  George  Temple  mentioned 
in  certain  letters  I  have  just  received  ? ' 

'  I  am  the  person,  sir,  to  whom  they  allude,' 
said  I,  evasively. 

'  Your  credentials  could  be  no  better,  and 
if  you  desire  you  can  have  a  vacant  desk  at 
head-quarters.' 

'  I  shall  feel  grateful  to  you,  sir,  for  the  posi- 
tion,'I  replied. 

'  It  is  no  sinecure — it  is  work,  early  and 
late  ;  though  there  will  be  some  days  when 
there  will  be  little  or,nothing  to  do. ' 

•  I  am  willing  to  work,  sir.' 

'  Then  we  will  consider  the  place  yours  ; 
and  as  you  will  be  an  attache  of  my  personal 
staff,  I  will  give  you  the  rank  of  lieutenant, 
with  the  usual  pay  and  emoluments  of  that 
position.  To-morrow  morning,  at  nine 
o'clock,  you  will  report  at  these  head-quar- 
ters, ready  for  duty,  when  you  will  receive 
your  commission.' 

As  he  appeared  to  have  no  more  instruc- 
tions to  give,  and  turned  his  attcut.on  to  an  - 
other  visitor,  I  took  a  general  survey  of  the 
apartment  with  my  one  eye,  and  was  about 
to  retu-e,  when  my  attention  was  arrested  by 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


89 


several  elaborate  drawings,  framed  and  hung 
upon  the  walls.  I  was  not  long  in  discov- 
ering that  they  were  topographical  views  of 
the  citadel,  fortifications,  and  general  sur 
roundings  of  the  city  of  Yicksburg.  Of 
course  they  interested  me,  and  perhaps  I  tar- 
ried longer  before  them  than  was  discreet,  for 
I  heard  the  new-comer  say,  in  a  half  inau- 
dible tone  : 

'  Who  is  that  young  stranger,  general  ? ' 

'  Oh,  that  is  a  new  attache  of  my  personal 
staff.  His  name  is  Temple — George  Tem- 
ple— he  is  from  Virginia,  and  brings  good  tes- 
timonials.' 

'  Pardon  me  for  my  inquisitiveness,'  said 
the  other.  '  Since  I  have  held  the  office  of 
provost  marshal  the  habit  has  grown  with  me 
of  being  over-curious  and  inquisitive,  By- 
the-by,  general,  that  female  spy  still  eludes 
our  vigilance.  We  have  exercised  our  best 
efibrts,  but  all  of  no  avail.  When  we  thought 
we  had  her  almost  within  our  grasp,  by  the 
strangest  and  most  ingenious  stratagem,  she 
escaped  us.' 

'Yes,'  replied  the  general ;  the  circum- 
stances I  have  had  related  to  me.  One  must 
possess  the  cunning  of  Old  Nick  himself  to 
play  such  tricks  successfully.  See  to  it,  mar- 
shal, that  she  is  not  much  longer  at  large, — 
for  a  successful  spy  in  our  midst  at  this  junc- 
ture of  our  aftairs,  may  do  us  incalculable 
mischief. ' 

'  Be  assured,  general,  our  efforts  shall  not 
be  relaxed  ;  and  if  she  remains  in  Vicksburg 
twenty-four  hours  longer  she  shall  be  in  our 
power. ' 

'  Be  careful,  marshal,  that  she  does  not 
leave  the  city. ' 

'  Every  precaution,  general,  has  already 
been  taken.' 

Their  conversation  was  here  interupted  by 
the  entrance  of  another  officer,  to  whom  the 
general  immediately  gave  audience,  and  the 
provost  marshal  retired.  Fortunately  my  back 
was  turned  toward  him,  or  he  might  have  dis- 
covered that  I  was  in  a  state  of  pertui"bation 
too  maiked  not  to  be  observed. 


No  sooner  had  he  gone  than  I  turned  my 
single  eye  from  the  maps  or  diagrams  that  I 
had  been  examining,  and  attempted  to  move 
from  the  spot.  My  limbs  absolutely  refused 
their  office  ;  I  seemed  to  be  fixed  to  the  floor; 
a  cold  chiil  thrilled  through  my  veins,  and 
a  violent  tremor  seized  me.  The  thought 
that  I  should  sink  upon  the  floor  added  great- 
ly to  my  trepidation.  I  made  a  desperate 
effort,  and  moved  foward  far  enough  to  reach 
a  seat  standing  against  the  wall,  which  I 
threw  myself  into.  I  dared  not  look  around 
me  for  fear  that  I  should  encounter  the  gaze 
of  some  one  or  more  of  the  officials  in  the 
room.  Whether  I  was  observed  or  not  I 
cannot  say  ;  but  after  the  lapse  of  a  few  min- 
utes, the  strange  sensations  left  me,  and, 
making  a  determined  effort  I  arose,  left  the 
room,  passed  the  sentinels  unchallenged,  and 
gained  the  street. 

I  must  confess  that  I  was  greatly  annoyed 
at  myself,  while  contemplating  how  serious- 
ly I  had  been  affected,  in  a  situation  where 
there  had  been  no  really  imminent  danger. 
Coolness  was  an  indispensable  quality  in  the 
performance  of  a  mission  like  mine,  and 
hitherto  I  had  been  in  several  really  perilous 
positions,  when  that  quality  had  carried  me 
through  successfully.  To  lose  my  self-pos- 
session now,  when  I  knew  that  I  was  hunt- 
ed in  every  direction,  would  only  serve  to 
embarrass  me  in  the  prosecution  of  my  duties, 
and  also  render  me  more  liable  to  detection. 

I  therefore  firmly  resolved,  let  what 
might  happen,  I  would  not  again  be  taken 
by  surprise ;  and  if  possible,  I  would  so 
discipline  my  mind  that  no  event,  however 
perilous  it  might  seem,  should  disturb  my 
equilibrium.  To  this  task  I  devoted  myself 
for  several  days,  and  it  is  even  wonderful 
what  progress  I  made.  It  demonstrated  to 
me  the  fact  that  coolness  and  courage  may 
be  acquired  by  schooling  the  mind  to  these 
essential  qualities, — essential,  especially,  to 
one  in  my  peculiar  position. 

What  had  I  to  fear  now  ?  was  the  ques- 
tion which  I  asked  myself  as  I  walked  care- 


90 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,   THE 


lessly  along  the  most  crowded  thoroughfare 
of  Vieksburg.  I  had  an  appointment  at 
the  head-quarters  of  the  commanding  gener- 
al. He  had  my  credentials,  and  could  sat- 
isfy the  most  skillful  detective  with  a  word. 

In  twenty-four  hours  I  should  have  the 
promised  commission  in  my  hand,  and  com- 
mence my  toils,  with  pen  in  hand  at  the  va- 
cant desk. 

AVho  would  think  of  searching  for  a  spy 
among  the  officers  of  the  pei'sonal  staff"  of  the 
general  ?  Surely  I  must  be  free  fi-om  scru- 
tiny there. 

I  had  not  thought  of  procuring  a  proper 
uniform  for  the  position  which  I  had  attained 
until  after  I  had  reached  my  own  private 
quarters.  To  i\Irs.  Ramsey  I  imparted  the 
fact  that  I  had  received  an  appointment  on 
General  P 's  staff",  with  the  rank  of  lieu- 
tenant. She  seemed  much  pleased,  if  I 
could  judge  by  the  satisfactory  twinkle  of 
her  eye,  as  she  left  me  to  my  own  solitude. 

The  day  jiassed  and  evening  came,  when 
another  parcel  an-ived,  directed  to  '  Lieut. 
George  Temple,  C.  S.  A.'  On  opening  it! 
found  it  contained  a  complete  uniform,  (in- 
cluding cap  and  insignia,)  corresporiding  in 
fabric,  style  and  ornarAent  exactly  with  those 
which  the  gentlemen  wore  whom  I  saw  at 
head-quarters. 

To  substitute  these  for  the  garments  that 
I  had  worn  throughout  the  day  was  but  the 
work  of  a  few  moments ;  and,  strange  to 
say,  they  fitted  me  admirably,  although  I 
am  quite  sure  that  no  tailor  measured  me 
for  them,  unless  he  had  done  it  while  J  was 
asleep,  and  this  was  impossible,  for  I  had 
not  slept  a  moment  since  leaving  the  com- 
manding general's  office. 

I  had  no  sooner  donned  this  unifonn  than 
I  heard  loud  voices  and  the  tramp  of  many 
feet  below.  On  opening  the  door  I  heard 
IMrs.  Ramsey  say  : 

'  There  is  no  person  here  now  that  an- 
swers your  description.  Three  days  ago 
there  was  a  young  mustee  here,  of  about  the 


age  you  mention  ;  but  she  was  incapable  of 
the  work,  and  I  discharged  her.' 

*  What's  a  mustee  ? '  asked  a  coarse  voice. 

'  A  person  born  of  a  white  father  and  a 
quadroon  mother,'  was  Mrs.  Ramsey's  reply. 
'  But  she  was  as  white  as  most  white 
women.' 

'  Was  she  good  looking  ? ' 

'  Ah  !  that  she  wa.s — a  beauty,  sir  ;  and 
that's  what  spoilt  her  for  my  work.' 

'  Do  you  know  whither  she  went?* 

'  She  obtained  a  pass  to  leave  the  city, 
and  I  know  that  she  packed  her  trunk  for  a 
long  journey.' 

'  She  lias  deceived  you,  or  you,  madame, 
are  deceiving  us,'  remarked  the  coarse  voice. 
'  Sir  ! '   exclaimed   the    indignant    Mrs. 
Ramsey. 

'  Oh  !  I  beg  pardon,  madame  ;  I  intended 
not  to  reflect  on  your  honesty  or  loyalty ; 
but  in  times  like  these  we  have  many  un- 
pleasant duties  to  do ;  not  the  least  of  which 
we  have  to  perform  here  to-night ;  and  that 
is  to  search  your  house.' 

'  I  can  make  no  objection,  sir,  to  that,' 
replied  Mrs.  Ramsey,  with  more  emphasis 
than  she  had  spoken  before  :  '  but  I  beg 
you  won't  disturb  the  young  officer  in  the 
room  at  the  head  of  the  stairs,  as  he  is  busily 
engaged  in  writing.' 

'  Officer  V  What  young  officer  ? ' 

'  Lieut.  Temple,  a  newly-appointed  clerk 
at  Gen.  P 's  headquarters.' 

'  Is  he  quartered  here  ?  ' 

'  For  the  present,  I  believe.' 

'  I  know  who  you  mean — I  saw  him  at 
the  general's  quarters  this  morning.  He 
has  a  patch  over  one  eye,  I  believe  V  , 

'  The  same. ' 

I  listened  no  longer,  but  closing  the  door 
softly,  I  immediately  sat  down  at  the  table, 
and  commenced  writing  a  letter  to  my  friend, 
Stephen  Cleves,  who  had  done  me  great 
service,  in  assisting  me  to  obtain  the  appoint- 
ment I  had  that  day  received  from  the  gal- 
lant genci-al  commanding  this  important  post. 

This  letter  I  left  unfulded  in  such  a  con- 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY, 


91 


spicuous  place  on  tlie  table  that  any  envious 
visitor  might  read  it  when  my  back  was  turn- 
ed. Pretently  some  one  rapped  at  my  door, 
and  who  should  appear  on  the  threshold  but 
the  provost  marshal  whom  I  had  once  before 
seen  on  that  day. 

*  Good  evening,  lieutenant ;  I  did  not  in- 
tend to  disturb  you,  but  I  am  in  search  of 
that  confounded  female  spy,'  said  he. 

'  Walk  in,  marshal ;  you  cannot  disturb  me 
now,'  I  replied,  in  a  familiar  manner,  rising 
from  my  scat  and  approaching  him.  I  have 
just  finished  all  the  writing  I  have  to  do  this 
evening,  thank  fortune.  Come  in,  and  your 
friends  with  you.  I  have  no  entertainment 
to  offer  you ;  but  concerning  this  spy  you  are 
after, — you  did  not  seriously  expect  to  find 
her  here  beneath  this  truly  loyal  roof?  ' 

'  There  was  a  gud  here  a  few  days  ago  that 
answered  the  description  very  nearly,'  said 
the  mai'shal ;  '  but  she  appears  to  be  among 
the  missing.  Nevertheless,  I  must  search 
for  her,  even  where  I  know  there  is  not  a 
ghost  of  chance  of  finding  her. ' 

While  we  were  thus  conversing,  some  three 
or  more  of  his  subordinates  entered  the  room, 
and  saluting  me  a  la  militaire,  began  gaz- 
ing about  with  curious  eyes,  though  I  pre- 
tended not  to  see  them.  I  am  sure  the  con- 
tents of  that  brief  letter  upon  the  table  was 
perused  by  them  all;  and  before  they  left,  I 
was  satisfied  that  the  provost  marshal's  eye 
had  likewise  thoroughly  scanned  it.  '  If  you 
can  give  me  the  slightest  information,  lieu- 
tenant, in  regard  to  the  girl  who  left  here  a 
few  days  ago,  the  general,  as  well  as  myself, 
will  be  greatly  indebted  to  you.' 

'  Unfortunately,  marshal,  she  left  before 
I  came.' 

'  Ah!  sure  enough ;  I  ought  to  have  known 
that,  from  what  the  general  said  this  morn- 
ing. Well,  we  may  yet  light  upon  her  when 
we  least  expect  it.  Good  evening,  lieuten- 
ant. Should  you  by  any  chance  come  in 
contact  with  one  answering  to  this  descrip- 
tion in  any  one  particular,  scrutinize  her 
closely,'  and  he  laid  upon  the  table  a  hand- 


bill, offering  a  reward  for  the  Female  Spy, 
which  on  examination,  I  found  to  be  identi- 
cal with  the  one  I  had  seen  at  the  tavern 
but  a  few  days  before. 

This  being  done,  he  left  the  room,  follow- 
ed by  his  posse  of  deputies. 

After  this  interview,  and  what  I  had  expe- 
rienced previously,  I  think  I  might  have 
laid  claim  to  such  Protean  proficiency  as  to 
defy  policemen,  provosts,  and  detectives. 
Indeed,  the  results  of  the  two  severe  tests  I 
had  been  subjected  to  on  that  dTiy,  reassured 
me.  They  gave  me  that  additional  courage 
and  self-possession  necessary  to  carry  me 
safely  through  the  probable  exposures  which 
I  should  be  daily  liable  to. 

It  was  not  my  intention  to  leave  my  quar- 
ters again  on  that  evening,  but  no  sooner 
had  I  resumed  my  writing  than  a  terrific 
bombardment  from  the  river  in  front,  and 
from  the  many  batteries  in  the  rear  of  the 
city,  commenced.  The  roaring  of  heavy 
ordnance,  the  whirring  of  cannon  balls 
through  the  air,  and  the  bursting  of  bomb- 
shells even  within  the  citadel  itself,  created 
a  terrible  consternation  among  the  people  as 
well  as  among  the  soldiers  ;  and  thousands 
of  men,  women  and  children  were  seen  hur- 
rying to  and  fro,  as  if  endeavoiing  to  find  a 
shelter  from  the  monstrous  projectiles  that 
were  huided  from  big-mouthed  cannon  and 
mortars. 

There  had  been  several  bombardments 
since  I  made  my  advent  into  tlie  town,  which 
resulted  in  a  few  casualties,  but  nothing  had 
been  seen  to  compare  with  this.  It  seemed 
as  if  the  whole  army  of  besiegers  had  con- 
centrated around  the  city,  within  easy  range, 
and  were  now  belching  forth  from  the  throats 
of  a  thousand  pieces  of  cannon,  every  spe- 
cies of  deadly  projectile  used  in  the  Union 
army.  The  scene  became  sublimely  grand, 
but  I  assure  you  it  was  also  frightfully  dan- 
gerous to  be  above  ground  in  almost  any 
part  of  the  city. 

To  make  the  scene  still  more  grandly 
tenific,  the  confederates,  from  their  parapets, 


92 


VIRGINIA    GRAH 


casemates,  bastions,  and  wherever  a  gun 
could  be  brouglit  to  bear,  now  opened  upon 
their  besiegers  the  most  terrific  fire  that  had 
as  yet  been  heard  in  Vicksburg.  Houses 
actually  trembled  with  the  rapid  concussions ; 
the  earth  fairly  quaked,  and  the  air  was 
filled  with  hellish  sounds;  while  below,  in 
the  very  bowels  of  the  earth,  might  have 
been  seen  the  nearest  approach  to  a  literal 
pandemonium  that  ever  was  beheld  by  mortal 
eyes. 

Yes, — rufle  excavations  of  large  extent 
had  been  made  beneath  the  crust  of  the 
earth  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  inhab- 
itants during  any  severe  storming  or  bom- 
barding of  the  city. 

Many  women  and  children,  of  high  and 
low  degree,  were  huddled  together,  while 
the  storm  of  shot  and  shell  raged  without. 

Dimly  lighted  by  tallow  candles,  or  kero- 
sene lamps,  they  threw  but  a  sickly  light 
upon  the  heterogeneous  multitude  thus 
hurriedly  assembled. 

Vice  and  virtue  here  stalked  together — 
wealth  and  poverty  stood  on  a  par.  Money 
was  no  more  a  kin^  here  than  cotton  was 
king  in  the  Carolinas.  Education,  refine- 
ment, and  all  that  tends  to  make  inequalities 
among  mortals,  were  just  as  good  and  no 
better,  in  this  hell  beneath  Vicksburg  than 
ignorance,  coarseness,  brutality  and  all  that 
tends  to  debase  humanity. 

You  may  think  that  I  have  exaggerated 
the  state  of  things  in  the  caves  of  Vicksburg ; 
but  I  do  assure  you  that  these  eyes  have 
been  witnesses  of  scenes  that  this  tongue 
would  not  describe,  lest  it  should  excite 
your  incredulity  still  more. 

I  was  not  a  burro wer  under  ground,  on 
the  night  of  the  bombai'dment  I  speak  of; 
but  have  conversed  with  those  that  were. 
Yet  I  do  not  purpose  to  tell  you  of  scenes 
that  others  have  experienced,  but  I  shall 
recur  to  life  underground  in  Vicksburg  in 
the  course  of  my  narrative,  and  state  only 
those  things  that  came  under  my  own  obser- 
vation. 


AM  ;    OR,    THE 

I  have  stated  that  I  did  not  intend  to 
leave  my  quarters  on  the  evening  of  the 
great  bombardnient,  and  should  not  have 
ventured  forth  amid  the  dangers  that  every- 
where surrounded  one,  had  not  a  monstrous 
shell  struck  low  in  the  roof,  directly  above 
my  room,  and  carried  away  so  large  a  part 
of  it,  that  I  could  sit  in  my  chair  and  observe 
the  stars  directly  above  my  head,  and  watch 
the  course  of  those  fiery  meteors,  sent  from 
mortal  engines  to  work  the  destruction  of 
this  doomed  city.  But  not  long  did  this 
afford  me  any  attraction  or  comfort ;  and 
knowing  that  I  should  be  quite  as  safe  out- 
side, I  donned  my  cap,  fastened  my  sword- 
belt  about  my  waist,  examined  my  revolvers 
and  went  forth  amid  such  of  the  excited 
populace  who  dared  to  brave  the  imminent 
dangers  above  ground.  What  befel  me  you 
shall  quickly  hear. 


I 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE    BELLIGERENT   QUAKER THE  THREAT 

THE    TABLES    TURNED THE     COMPACT. 

The  consternation  excited  in  the  city 
of  Vicksburg  by  the  vigorous  and  terrific 
bombardment  of  the  federals,  was  not  con- 
fined alone  to  the  populace,  but  extended 
even  to  the  soldiery,  who  seemed  to  be  as 
much  panic-stricken  as  those  who  did  not 
bear  arms.  However,  to  their  credit  be  it 
said,  there  were  bold  spirits  enough  to  man 
all  the  guns  that  could  be  made  available 
in  returning  the  fire  of  the  dread^  Yankees. 
Whether  or  not  this  fire  of  the  beseiged  had 
any  effect  in  lessening  the  terrific  stoi-m  of 
the  besiegers,  it  certainly  was  effective  in 
imparting  courage  to  thousands  of  all  classes 
and  conditions  within  the  walls  of  the  doom- 
ed city. 

The  confusion  that  reigned  supreme  in  the 
streets,  and  in  the  caverns  and  arches  under 
ground,  and  the  general  lax  of  discipline, 
during  this  warring  of  artillery,  enabled  me 
not  only  to  examine  a  portion  of  the  inner 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


93 


works  of  the  citadel,  but  enabled  me  to  gain 
almost  precise  informatiou  as  to  the  real 
strength  of  the  main  outer  defences,  which 
once  overcome,  would  very  soon  eventuate 
in  the  surrender  of  the  city. 

For  two  hours  I  traversed  the  line  of 
iiuier  and  outer  defences,  carefully  noting 
the  strength  of  the  batteries,  estimating  the 
number  of  artillerists  engaged,  and  even 
computing  the  amount  of  ammunition  visible, 
and  in  several  instances,  looking  into  maga- 
zines, which  were  opened  many  times  during 
the  bombardment.  All  of  this  was  accom- 
plished without  being  suspected  or  even 
questioned;  for  I  wore  the  staff  uniform, 
which  I  found  to  be  a  pas  sport  to  any  point. 
The  greatest  danger  which  I  incurred 
was  from  the  bursting  of  shells,  sometimes 
in  such  proximity  that  I  trembled  even  after 
the  danger  had  passed  ;  and  more  than  once 
did  I  avoid  the  blazing  meteors  by  throwing 
myself  flat  upon  the  ground,  or  by  dodging 
into  some  friendly  arch,  or  behind  some  wall 
close  at  hand. 

Towards  eleven  o'clock  the  fire  of  the 
besiegers  began  to  slacken,  and  when  the 
clock  struck  the  eleventh  hour,  the  thunder- 
ing of  heavy  ordnance,  and  the  flying  of 
shot  and  shell  through  the  air  entirely  ceased. 

But  there  was  yet  no  peace  within  the 
walls  of  the  fated  city.  Fires  were  raging 
in  several  quarters,  and  lurid  flames  darted 
up  into  the  smoky  atmosphere,  making  the 
entile  canopy  of  heaven  appear  as  the  dome 
of  Hades. 

Soldiers  and  civilians  waged  war  against 
the  iiery  element  with  more  zeal,  courage 
and  efFeet  than  they  had  fouglit  the  enemy. 
But,  throughout  that  dread  night,  at  least, 
it  seemed  as  if  Vicksburg  had  become  the 
abode  of  Satan  and  the  spirits  of  the  damn- 
ed, for  crimes  and  outrages  were  committed 
of  such  a  diabolical  nature  as  might  have 
made  even  angels  weep.  Thieves,  vaga- 
bonds, courtezans,  and  drunken  soldiers 
held  high  carnival  during  the  conflagration, 


the  lax  of  discipline  and  consequent  reifn 
of  terror. 

But  for  all  this,  the  terrible,  evil  day  of 
the  doomed  city  had  not  yet  come.  A  se- 
ries of  military  operations  were  in  progress 
to  bring  about  the  fatal  period  when  the 
'  Gibraltar  of  the  Mississippi '  must  inevita- 
bly change  masters. 

In  returning  to  my  quarters  that  eventful 
night,  between  the  hours  of  eleven  and 
twelve  o'clock,  I  was  compelled  to  pass 
through  a  street  where  a  conflagration  was 
raging,  and  which  was  choked  up  by  fire- 
engines,  hose-carriages,  firemen,  soldiers  and 
civilians.  I  elbowed  my  way  slowly  through 
the  thronged  thoroughfare,  and  was  about 
congratulating  myself  that  no  serious  im- 
pediment existed  between  that  place  and  my 
lodgings,  when  I  was  startled  by  a  rude 
hand  which  was  laid  heavily  on  my  shoulder. 

Instinctively  I  grasped  one  of  my  revol- 
vers, and  turned  to  look  the  familiar  intru- 
der in  the  face.  I  was  compelled  to  look 
upward,  when  I  beheld  the  tall,  gaunt  form 
and  the  unmistakable  features  of  Obadiah 
Tomlinson,  the  father  of  Potiphar,  standing 
before  me  ! 

My  resolution  not  to  be  startled  at  any- 
thing certainly  failed  me  this  time,  for  I  had 
not  the  courage  to  raise  my  revolver  and 
send  a  leaden  messenger  to  the  old  hypo- 
crite's heart.  In  fact,  I  dared  not  make  any 
demonstration  to  rid  myself  of  him,  lest  I 
should  attract  the  attention  of  others  near 
by,  to  whom  the  quaker  might  denounce 
me,  if,  indeed,  he  had  discovered  the  person 
who  had  caused  such  a  change  in  bis  worldly 
affairs  at  Jackson. 

'  Why  am  I  thus  rudely  assaulted  ? '  I 
at  length  asked,  in  as  brusque  a  manner  as 
I  dared  assume. 

'  I  beg  thee  wilt  forgive  me  if  I  seemeth 
rude,'  replied  Broadbrim;  ' for  verily  that 
is  not  the  way  with  us  men  of  peace.  I 
would  speak  with  thee  apart  from  this  mul- 
titude of  men  of  war  and  fire.  Yea,  I  con- 
jure thee  to  follow  me.' 


94 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


.'  Whither?  '  I  demanded. 

'  Thither !  '  and  he  pointed  to  the  en- 
trance of  a  dark  alley-way  near  by,  which 
appeared  to  be  unfrequented. 

I  assented,  and  without  hesitation  followed 
his  footsteps,  and  we  were  soon  hidden  from 
the  gaze  of  any  one  in  the  street. 

'  I  will  lend  thee  no  farther,'  said  the 
quaker,  turning  round  and  facing  me.  '  Dost 
thou  not  know  me  '? ' 

'  By  your  dress  and  speech  you  seem  to 
be  of  the  persuasion  called  Friends,'  was 
my  reply. 

'  I  can  be  thy  friend  or  thine  enemy,  as 
thou  pleaseth,'  said  he. 

'  I  know  not  how  your  friendship  can  be 
of  service  to  me  ;  and  as  for  your  enmity  I 
fear  it  not,  for  experience  has  taught  me  that 
it  is  unsafe  in  these  perilous  times  to  go  un- 
armed.' 

All  these  words  the  click  of  a  revolver  in 
my  hand  gave  a  significant  meaning  to. 

Almost  at  the  same  moment  he  displayed 
a  similar  weapon,  and  a  sharp  '  click '  as- 
sured me  that  the  quaker  was  at  least  equal- 
ly well  armed. 

'  Verily  !  '  he  exclaimed  with  a  hissing 
voice  and  with  great  earnestness  ;  '  verily, 
thoe  scest  before  thee  a  desperate  man.  I 
know  thee  well  despite  the  disguise  which 
thou  assumest.  Through  thy  machinations 
I  am  reduced  from  affluence  to  poverty.  If 
I  choosest  to  do  so  I  can  denounce  thee  as  a 
spy  of  the  damned  Yankees,  and  thou  wilt 
be  hung.  But  I  will  not  if  thou  Avilt  be 
guided  by  my  directions.' 

'  "Who  do  you  take  me  for  ? '  said  I, 
boldly. 

'  Fur  an  impostor — a  she-devil  in  the  garb 
of  a  man  of  war.  I  have  followed  thee  from 
Jackson,  and  have  been  on  thy  track  for 
many  days.  Escape  is  now  impossible,  un- 
less thuu  glvest  heed  to  that  which  I  shall 
request. ' 

'  Your  threats  I  despise,'  said  I  brusquely. 
'  But  I  will  hear  your  proposition,  and  treat 
it  as  \t  deserves.' 


'  It  is  but  to  place  thy  signature  to  a  d 
ument  wliich  a  man  of  law,  an  honest  att(.a- 
ney,  hath  drawn  up  fur  me.' 

'  Beware  of  the  man  of  law,  le.st  he  Ic  1 
thee  into  intracics  that  will  bewilder  tlij  ■" 
said  I,  remembering  his  advice  at  Magnolia 
Villa. 

'  I  sought  thee  not  out  to  bandy  words 
with  thee,  but  to  obtain  thy  name  to  this 
document,  in  the  presence  of  one  or  more 
witnesses.' 

*  What  is  the  tenor  of  the  document  ?  '     j 

'  It  is  but  a  confession  of  thy  appearing 
at  Magnolia  Villa,  as  once  before  I  didst 
rightly  charge  thee,  in  a  false  guise ;  and 
there  didst  assume  the  rightful  name  of  the 
heiress  of  the  estate  ;  and  then  and  there 
and  at  Jackson,  didst,  by  thy  devilish  arts, 
force  me  wrongfully  to  do  that  which  hast 
well  nigh  ruined  tlie  name  and  fortune  of 
the  Tomlinsons.  Yea,  verily,  thou  didst 
take  from  me  more  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars,  besides  other  prop- 
erty in  bonds,  mortgages,  lands,  &c.' 

'  And  caused  them  to  be  bestowed  on  the 
rightful  owner,  who,  I  hope,  is  now  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  her  great  fortune  at  her 
beautiful  villa,'  said  I,  without  evincinjr  the 
slightest  fear. 

'  That  is  a  point  that  neither  thee  nor  me 
can  adjudicate  upon  ;  but  the  higli  courts  of 
Mississippi  will  decree  which  is  the  wronged 
party.' 

'  ^Yhj,  that  is  all  settled  now. ' 

'  Not  if  I  can  get  thy  signature  to  this 
plain  and  honest  confession.' 

'I  will  take  three  days  to  consider  it,' 
.said  I,  desiring  to  put  an  end  to  the  inter- 
view. 

'  Nay,  damsel ;  it  must  be  signed  this 
night,  or  thou  wilt  be  jjlaced  in  the  hands  of 
the  provost  marshal.' 

'  I  suppose  that  document  will  exonerate 
you  from  the  gi'eat  crimes  of  perjury  and 
incendiarism  ?  ' 

'  And  what  possible  harm  can  that  do 
thee  V ' 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


95 


'  It  will  nialce  me  quite  as  great  criminal 
as  thyself.  By  such  an  act  I  should  not 
only  wrong  the  rightful  heir  of  the  Marland 
e.'states,  but  proclaim  myself  a  liar  and  a 
2)erjurer.  Was  it  not  enough  to  have  saved 
you  from  an  ignominious  punishment,  by 
keeping  my  faith  with  you  in  not  furnishing 
to  the  authorities  the  damning  evidence  of 
your  attempt  to  commit  the  great  crime  of 
arson  ? ' 

'  Verily,  thou  dost  not  well  understand 
me.  The  i-estitution  of  all  that  worldly 
wealth  which  thou  didst  force  me  to  make, 
through  fear  of  condign  punishment,  is  irre- 
vocable. The  heir  of  Magnolia  Villa  hath 
her  full  rights,  and  I  am  bereft  of  all  power 
to  disturb  them.  But  be  it  known  to  thee 
that,  through  some  source  or  other,  the  matter 
of  incendiarism  hath  become  promulgated  in 
the  city  of  Jackson.  In  verity,  I  am  sus- 
pected of  that  indiscreet  act ;  yet,  to  my 
knowledge,  no  one  has  yet  preferred  charges 
against  me.  But  I  would  not  live  in  bodily 
fear.  I  would  be  exempt  from  all  suspicion, 
and  return  to  Jackson  and  to  Basswood 
Mansion,  where  I  can  hold  up  my  head,  and 
be  no  longer  a  disgrace  to  the  name  of  Tom- 
linson.  Thou  canst  aid  me  to  do  this  by 
signing  the  paper  which  I  have  here  with 
me.' 

This  speech  furnished  me  with  the  key  to 
the  Quaker's  motives.  He  had  confessed 
too  much.  To  be  exonerated  from  the  sus- 
picion of  arson,  which  he  said  was  resting 
upon  him,  could  not  relieve  him  from  that 
which  was  patent  to  everybody  in  Jackson  : 
that  he  had  embezzled  and  long  held  that 
which  was  not  his  own;  in  fact,  that  he  was 
a  swindler,  an  arrant  knave, — and  would  be 
so  considered,  even  if  he  had  power  to  allay 
all  suspicion  of  his  other  crimes,  acted  or 
premeditated.  Then  what  his  hope,  his 
purpose,  in  ferreting  me  out?  It  was  to 
obtain  my  confession  for  an  ulterior  object, 
— perhaps,  by  some  crooked  means,  to  gain 
back  his  lost  plunder,  notwithstanding  his 
declaration  that  the  restitution  he  had  made 


was  irrevoc  able.     This  process  of  ret; zon- 
ing  gave  a  cue  to  my  speech,  and  I  said: 

'  I  respectfully,  but  most  peremptorily, 
decline  signing  any  paper  whatsoever,  not 
expressed  in  the  language  of  truth ;  and, 
moreover,  I  will  sign  no  paper  to  implicate 
myself  in  any  wrong-doing,  either  at  Jackson 
or  elsewhere.' 

'  Is  this  thy  fixed  determination  ?  he  asked 
solemnly. 

'  As  fixed  as  yonder  bright  star,'  I  replied, 
pointing  to  the  heavens. 

'Verily,  thou  shalt  rue  it.' 

'  1  fear  thee  not.' 

'  I  will  denounce  thee  to  the  provost  as 
the  Female  Spy  that  he  and  his  posse  are 
diligently  in  search  of;  and  I  will  claim  the 
reward  of  ten  thousand  dollars  for  thy  de- 
livery up  to  him  ! '  he  exclaimed  with  hissing 
emphasis. 

'  And  I  will  denoun.ce  thee  as  a  perjurer, 
an  incendiary,  and  a  swindler,  to  the  first 
magistrate  that  can  be  reached. ' 

'Thy  punishment  will  be  the  gallows,' 

'  Thine  will  be  the  penitentiary  for  the 
remainder  of  thy  days,'  said  I  imitating  him. 

'  Thou  hast  no  testimony  against  me.' 

'All  that  is  necessary — the  pistol;  that 
bit  of  your  outer  garment ;  the  books ; 
CufFee  ; — besides  circumstances  sufficient  to 
leave  not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt.' 

'  The  evidence  furnished   by  a   Yankee 
Spy  will  avail  thee  nothing. ' 

'  The  evidence  furnished  by  an  acknowl- 
edged liar  and  swindler  will  avail  thee  noth- 
ing:. Therefore,  Broadbrim,  act  wisely  and 
you  may  escape  hanging,' 

'  Verily,  thou  art  a  she-devil ! '  he  said, 
angrily. 

'  I  am  a  match  for  any  quaker  in  rebel- 
dom,'  I  said,  laughingly. 

'  Or  any  imp  of  hell,  as  I  verily  believe.' 

'  Tlien  beware  how  you  cross  my  path  !  ' 
said  I,  threateningly.  '  We  now  fully  un- 
derstand each  other.  If  I  am  arrested  you 
surely  shall  be.     We  stand  or  fall  together.' 


96 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


'  Another  besides   me   may  cause    thy 
arrest  ?  '  said  he,  inquiringly. 

'  It  matters  not.  If  I  am  arrested,  I  shall 
take  no  pains  to  discover  by  whose  and 
what  means,  but  shall  attribute  it  to  informa- 
tion given  by  Ohadiah Tomlinson,  and  shall 
act  accordingly.' 

He  was  silent  for  a  few  moments,  and 
then  said  : 

'  It  doth  appear,  most  unaccountable  of 
women,  that,  on  the  whole,  it  will  be  the 
part  of  discretion  to  keep  each  other's  secrets ; 
though  I  did  hope  that  thou  wouldst  assist 
me  in  regaining,  in  part,  at  least,  my  lost 
honor. ' 

'  You  have  most  wisely  concluded,'  said 
I,  in  response ;  '  and  as  it  is  late,  you  had 
better  go  your  way  and  I  will  go  mine.' 

'  Tarry,  Ijut  for  one  moment.  I  would 
make  one  more  request  of  thee,  and  it  shall 
do  thee  good  to  grant  it. ' 

'  Be  brief,  and  I  will  listen.' 

'  Verily,  misfortunes  never  come  singly. 
My  son,  Potiphar,  is  in  great  trouble.' 

'  Is  it  possible  ?  Why,  I  saw  him  but  a 
few  days  ago.' 

'  Alas !  he  is  now  in  the  hands  of  the 
Philistines.' 

'  What  mean  you  ?  ' 

'  He  hath  stepped  beyond  the  bounds  of 
moderation  and  discretion,  and  hath  been 
deprived  of  his  liberty.'     ^ 

'The  English  of  which  is,'  said  I,  'that 
he  became  intoxicated,  and  committed  some 
breach  of  military  rule,  and  he  is  now  a 
prisoner  in  the  guard-house.' 

'  Thou  hast  divined  the  ti-uth.  It  morti- 
fyeth  my  spirit  much  to  know  that  the  son 
and  heir  of  the  Tomlinsons  hath  contracted 
the  vile  habit  of  imbibing  too  much  of  the 
inebriating  l)everage,  vulgarly  denominated 
whiskey.  It  hath  brought  gi'ief  upon  him 
and  upon  Obadiah,  his  father.  To  be  brief, 
he  was  found  intoxicated,  whea  he  should' 
have  been  on  guard  at  the  post  of  duty. 
For  this  ojSence  the  men  of  war  have  de- 
prived  him  of  his  liberty ;  aye,  they  have 


even  threatened  to  cut  the  thread  of  his  life 
by  firing  many  leaden  spheres  into  his  young 
and  vigorous  frame.' 

'  How  think  you  I  can  possibly  aid  him  ? ' 
I  a.sked. 

'  Because  I  knoweth  that  thou  wilt  have 
the  ear  of  that  great  son  of  Mars,  General 
P ,  who  art  all-powerful  in  Vick.sburg.' 

'  Before  I  consent  to  do  what  I  can  for 
the  relief  of  Potiphar,  tell  me  how  you  be- 
came possessed  of  the  knowledge  you  seem 
to  have  in  regard  to  me.' 

'  Verily,  I  have  keen  eyes,  and  when  once 
they  have  dwelt  on  human  features,  they 
seldom  foil  to  recognize  them  afterwards. 
Then  I  have  a  keen  scent.  The  bloodhound 
in  search  of  a  fu";itive  ni2;i>;er  art  not  more 
sure  of  his  prey  than  I  of  mine.  I  have 
hunted  thee  night  and  day  and  have  brought 
thee  to  bay  at  last.' 

'  But  not  with  the  residt  you  anticipated,' 
I  remarked. 

'  Nay,  the  hunted  hath  turned  upon  the 
hunter  this  time.  But  thou  wilt  promise  to 
give  aid  and  comfort  to  the  distressed  Poti- 
phar ? ' 

'  Be  assured  that  I  will  do  all  in  my  power 
consistent  with  my  own  safety,  to  obtain  the 
discharge  of  the  indiscreet  Potiphar,  with 
the  condition  that  you  will  never  in  any  man- 
ner attempt  my  betrayal.' 

'  I  do  promise — nay,  I  do  swear — that 
thy  secret  shall  be  kept  so  long  as  thou 
keepest  mine.' 

'  I  shall  trust  you,  for  I  know  that  for  you 
to  act  otherwise  would  tend  to  your  own 
condemnation.  So  farewell,  Mr.  Tomlinson, 
and  when  you  see  me  again  you  will  be  kind 
enough  not  to  let  your  penetrating  eyes  re- 
cognize the  soi-disant  heiress  of  Magnolia 
Villa.' 

'  Farewell !  we  part  as  friends  should  part  ; 
and  let  me  caution  thee  to  be  discreet  in  all 
thy  movements,  for  there  be  many  watching 
eagerly  for  thee.' 

'I  shall  heed  your  advice.     Farewell.' 

He  turned  upon  his  heel  and  made  long 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


97 


strides  up  the  alley-way,  into  the  street, 
where  he  was  soon  lost  among  the  multitude 
that  still  thronged  the  space  before  the  build- 
ings which  werg  still  burning. 

As  for  myself,  I  sought  the  shortest  route 
to  my  quarters,  and  arrived  there  without 
further  obstacle.  The  remainder  of  that 
night  I  slept  soundly  in  a  room  of  a  partially 
unroofed  dwelling,  and  dreamed  only  of 
bright  stars,  bursting  bomb-shells  and  con- 
flagrations. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

THE  spy's  first  WEEK  AT  KEBEL  HEAD- 
QUARTERS  niS  LOST  EYE  IS  MUCH  RE- 
SPECTED  A    STARTLING   PROPOSITION. 

"  On  the  following  morning,"  resumed 
our  heroine,  "  I  attired  myself  in  the  regu- 
lation uniform  of  the  commanding  general's 
staff",  and  at  nine  o'clock,  precisely,  sought 
admittance  to  that  officer's  apartment  at 
head-quarters.  I  was  informed  by  an  or- 
derly that  the  general  would  not  be  in  for  an 
hour,  but  that  his  chief  of  staff".  Col.  Win- 
net,  was  present  in  his  private  room,  to  whom 
I  could  make  my  business  known.  I  ac- 
cordingly expressed  a  desire  to  see  him,  and 
was  immediately  ushered  into  the  pi'esence 
of  a  fine  looking  gentleman,  in  a  military 
undress,  who  was  quietly  perusing  a  news- 
paper and  enjoying  a  fragrant  cigar. 

He  turned  his  head  as  I  approached  him, 
and  no  sooner  had  he  obtained  a  full  view 
of  my  figure,  than  he  quickly  arose  as  if  to 
greet  mo.  But  his  countenance  fell  as  he 
gazed  into  my  features. 

'  Have  I  the  honor  to  address  Col.  Win- 
net,  Chief  of  Staff" V  '  said  I,  saluting  him  in 
a  most  respectful  manner. 

'I  am  Col.  Winnet,  Chief  of  Staff";  but 
if  you  think  there  is  any  peculiar  honor  in 
addressing  this  individual,  the  sooner  you 
dispel  the  thought  the  better,'  he  replied,  in 
a  hearty,  brusque  manner. 

'  I  am  George  Temple.' 


'  The  deuce  you  are  !  You  lost  an  eye  at 
Bull  Bun.  ^Take  a  seat,  sir.  Have  a  cigar. 
Make  yourself  as  comfortable  as  possible. 
The  general  told  me  all  about  you ;  you  aro 
to  become  one  of  our  military  family  ;  your 
commission  is  ready;  can't  congratulate 
you,  sir ;  may  congratulate  ourselves ;  plenty 
of  work ;  poor  pay,  and  our  prospects  of 
raising  the  siege  d — d  poor.' 

I  took  the  proff'ered  seat,  but  declined 
the  cigar. 

■'Don't  smoke,  eh?'  he  ejaculated,  with 
a  look  of  surprise.  '  Well,  you'll  soon 
learn.  Smoking  is  epidemic  in  the  army; 
but  few  escape  the  habit.  Here,  my  young 
friend,  is  your  commission  as  first  lieutenant, 
which  I  was  directed  by  the  general  to  pre- 
sent to  you,'  and  he  placed  in  my  hands  the 
credentials  of  my  rank,  for  which  I  thanked 
him. 

'  I  will  now  introduce  you  to  the  gentle- 
men of  the  staff"  who  are  present,'  he  con- 
tinued, '  good  fellows,  all  of  them.  This 
way,  lieutenant.' 

This  part  of  my  induction  into  office,  I 
must  confess,  I  would  gladly  have  avoided ; 
but,  putting  a  little  resolution  into  my  de- 
meanor, 1  permitted  him  to  lead  me  into  the 
large  business  room  of  the  department,  and 
introduce  me  to  eight  or  ten  officers  of  va- 
rious ranks,  in  his  brusque,  off-hand  style, 
not  forgetting  to  inform  each  one  that  I  had 
'  the  honor  of  losing  an  eye  in  the  victory 
of  Bull  Bun.' 

I  was  greeted  by  all  with  much  cordiality 
and  proffers  of  friendship.  Whether  to  at- 
tribute this  to  the  lost  eye,  or  to  anything 
prepossessing  in  my  appearance,  I  was  at  a 
loss  to  decide. 

Having  gone  through  with  the  formality 
of  introduction  to  my  brother  officers  of  the 
staff",  or  to  such  of  them  as  were  present,  I 
was  immediately  led  to  a  vacant  desk,  which 
the  chief  said  he  had  orders  to  assign  to  me, 
and  was  instructed  in  the  particular  dutie3 
I  was  expected  to  perform,  the  major  part 
of  which  were  copying,  or  condensing  into' 


98 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


one  document,  the  daily  reports  of  the  sev- 
eral general  officers  in  command  at  Vicks- 
burg,  to  be  despatched  to  the  War  Depart- 
ment at  Kichmond. 

I  readily  comprehended  the  nature  of  my 
task,  and  as  I  was  a  rapid  penman,  and 
wrote  a  plain,  legible  hand,  I  felt  satisfied 
that  not  more  than  three  hours  would  be 
required  to  accomplish  the  work  on  each 
day. 

I  sat  about  the  duty  as  if  I  was  not  al- 
togetlier  inexperienced,  and  although  I  work- 
ed leisurely,  at  two  o'clock  on  that  day  the 
document  was  finished.  I  submitted  it  to* 
a  superior  officer  for  examination.  He  pro- 
nounced it  correct,  and  complimented  me 
upon  the  neatness  and  legibility  of  my  chi- 
rography,  and  the  admirable  arrangement  I 
bad  adopted  for  condensing  the  several  re- 
ports. 

'  If  this  does  not  satisfy  the  officials  at  the 
war  office,  nothing  will,'  was  his  remark,  as 
he  countersigned  the  document,  enclosed  it 
in  an  envelope,  and  bade  me  address  it  to 
the  Secretary  of  War,  C.  S.  A.,  Richmond, 
Va.,  and  send  it  at  once  to  the  post  office. 

I  may  as  well  admit  that  I  had  taken,  in 
short  hand,  very  brief  notes  of  valuable  in- 
formation contained  in  this  condensed  re- 
port, which  I  knew  would  give  quite  as 
much  satisfaction  to  the  besieging  general 
outside  the  walls  of  Vicksburg,  as  to  the 
officials  of  the  war  office  at  Richmond. 

Day  after  day  I  went  through  the  same 
routine  of  duty,  treasuring  up  scraps  of  val- 
uable information,  which  I  determined  should 
not  be  for  the  exclusive  use  of  the  Confed- 
erate War  Department. 

But  this  was  not  my  only  source  of  infor- 
mation. On  each  day  officers  and  civilians 
were  constantly  arriving  and  departing,  com- 
municating intelligence  freely,  making  sug- 
gestions, and  even  discussing  with  the  gen- 
eral and  the  high  officers  of  his  staff,  matters 
touching  the  weak  and  strong  points,  not 
only  ©f  the  citadel,  but  the  fortificatioas 
which  environed  it. 


My  ears  were  always  attentive  on  these 
occasions,  although  I  dihgently  plied  the  pen 
in  the  meantime.  Before  I  had  been  there 
a  week  I  had  treasured  up  more  knowledge 
in  relation  to  the  defences  at  Vicksburg  than 
was  known  to  any  person  outside  of  the  gen- 
eral's quarters. 

It  had  been  a  week  now  since  I  had  met 
with  any  adventure  scarcely  worth  noting, 
which  was  quite  remarkable  for  me.  In  fact, 
I  began  to  look  upon  my  daily  duties  as  by 
no  means  desirable  on  account  of  their  mo- 
notony. I  needed  more  excitement.  I  had 
previously  been  subject  to  so  many  strange 
adventures,  that  life  seemed  tame  in  compar- 
ison. However,  this  '  piping  time  of  peace ' 
was  not  to  last  long. 

If  I  remember  rightly,  it  was  on  the 
eighth  day  after  leceiving  my  confederate 
commission,  and  while  I  was  quietly  writing 
at  my  desk,  when,  among  the  many  fre- 
quenters of  the  office  there  appeared  a  fine 
looking  military  gentleman,  who  desired  an 
immediate  interview  with  the  commanding 
general.  Before  turning  my  gaze  I  had  a 
presentiment  who  the  new  comer  was. 

I  looked  up  as  he  halted  near  my  desk, 
and  beheld  my  former  good  rebel  friend. 
Colonel  Lamar.  My  eye  met  his,  but  there 
was  no  apparent  recognition  between  us.  It 
was  but  a  single  glance,  for  I  turned  my 
gaze  towards  the  paper  over  which  my  pen 
was  now  moving  mechanically.  I  felt  some- 
thing more  than  a  slight  throbbing  in  the 
region  of  the  heart,  though  I  assure  you  it 
was  of  a  far  different  nature  from  that  which 
often  sets  a  maiden's  heart  in  motion  when 
exchanging  glances  with  some  handsome, 
fascinating  young  gentleman. 

The  truth  is,  I  had  another  fright  and  my 
cheeks  absolutely  tingled  with  the  sudden 
effusion  of  blood  which  they  received.  I 
felt  very  much  as  I  did  on  another  occasion, 
on  receiving  an  unexpected  visit  from  the 
colonel,  when  I  was  strongly  impressed 
with  the  idea  that  his  visit  had  some  un- 
pleasant  relation   with  the  spy,  who,  still 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


undetected,  w.os  giving  the  rebel  leaders  so 
nuicli  uneasiness. 

Wliilo  endeavoring  to  overcome  the  un- 
pleasant sensation  which  affected  nie,  I  heard 
heavy  footsteps  approaching,  and  then  the 
voice  of  the  general  cordially  welcoming 
'  Col.  Lamar.' 

'  What  news  from  Jackson,  colonel  ?  '  he 
» 

at  length  asked. 

'  Nothing  important ;  but  I  am  convinced 
that  Marietta  Marland,  the  young  lady  we 
were  speaking  of  when  I  was  last  here,  is 
entirely  innocent.  In  fact,  it  is  impossible 
that  she  could'have  any  connivance  what- 
ever with  the  spy  who  successfuly  usurped 
her  place,  and  who  so  completely  hood- 
winked us  all.  What  success  here  in  fer- 
reting her  out  ? ' 

'  None,  whatever,'  replied  the  general. 
'  Indeed,  the  provost  marshal  and  all  his 
detectives  have  lost  all  trace  of  her.  It  is 
now  thought  that  she  must  have  escaped 
from  the  city,  notwithstanding  the  extreme 
vigilance  that  has  been  exercised.' 

I  began  to  breathe  more  freely  on  hear- 
ing this  last  remark  ;  for  it  was  presumable 
that  the  great  efforts  which  had  been  made 
to  apprehend  the  spy  would  now  be  relaxed, 
perhaps  abandoned  altogether  as  a  hopeless 
case. 

Their  conversation  was  now  lost  to  me, 
for  they  moved  on  towards  the  private  room 
of  the  general,  into  which  they  both  entered. 

My  day's  work  being  now  completed,  I 
prepared  to  leave  the  office,  when  I  again 
met  Lamar  face  to  face,  as  he  was  retiring 
from  his  interview  with  the  general.  He 
almost  halted  as  I  raised  my  hand  to  give 
him  the  accustomed  military  salute  ;  and  as 
he  returned  it  he  gave  me  a  look  which 
Boemed  to  penetrate  my  very  soul,  and  then 
hanging  his  head,  as  if  in  deep  thought, 
passed  on. 

In  another  moment  I  was  saluted  by  an 
orderly,  with  a  summons  to  the  private  room 
of  the  general.  • 

I  was  startled   without  his   observing  it. 


Surely,  I  thought,  my  time  has  come  at  last. 
Col.  Lamar  had  accomplished  in  one  mo- 
ment more  than  the  whole  detective  force  of 
Vicksburg  had  been  able  to  accomplish  in 
three  weeks.  I  did  not  even  entertain 'a 
doubt  of  this  fact ;  and  if  there  had  been  the 
remotest  chance  of  an  escape,  I  surely 
should  have  attempted  it.  Hope  even  fled 
from  my  bosom  ;  but  I  determined  to  put  a 
bold  face  upon  the  matter,  and  to  hold  out 
even  against  fate  to  the  last  extremity. 

With  this  resolution  I  appea^red  before 
the  general  as  if  nothing  had  occurred  to 
cause  the  slightest  perturbation  within  me. 

The  moment  I  entered  his  presence  he 
greeted  me  with  his  usual  manner,  and  bade 
me  be  seated ;  and  as  soon  as  I  obeyed  he 
arose  and  locked  the  door. 

Surely  he  meant  to  make  sure  of  me  !  but 
I  was  rather  puzzled  at  his  really  pleasant 
and  smiling  face. 

'  My  business  with  you,  lieutenant,  is  of 
of  such  a  private  nature,  that  we  must  not 
be  intruded  upon, '  said  he  as  he  resumed 
his  seat, 

'  Caution  is  certainly  commendable  in 
these  perilous  times,'  I  remarked. 

'  The  lack  of  it  has  already  caused  us  many 
disasters.  The  chivalric  sons  of  the  South 
are  too  reckless,  too  impetuous,  to  cope  suc- 
cessfully with  the  cool,  obstinate,  pnident, 
and  persevering  Yankees.  If  we  possessed 
half  their  cunning  and  prudence,  combined 
with  our  Hotspur  courage,  we  might  defy 
them;  aye  we  might  invade  then- territories, 
instead  of  then-  invasion  of  ours.  Moreover, 
we,  in  estimating  our  strength  have  invari- 
ably uncjerrated  theirs.  In  equal  numbers, 
the  Yankees  are  a  match  for  any  people  on 
the  face  of  the  globe,  and  the  sooner  our 
Hotspurs  acknowledge  this,  the  more  able  we 
may  be  successfully  to  engage  with  them  in 
the  open  field,  and  in  strategic  operations.' 

'  We  beat  the  invaders  handsomely  at 
Bull  Run,'  I  ventured  to  suggest. 

*  Yes,  that  was  a  victory ;  and  because  it 
was  a  victory  it  tended  to  weaken  tib  and 


100 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


Btrengthen  them.  If  we  had  profited  by 
that  victory  Washington  ■would  have  been 
ours.  But,  because  we  were  victorious  on 
that  day,  we  puffed  ourselves  up  with  the 
belief  that  we  could  not  fight  the  Yankees 
without  whipping  them  ever  afterwards. 
That  was  our  mistake.  Had  we  lost  that 
battle  instead  of  the  Yankees,  it  would  have 
tauffht  us  the  same  lesson  that  it  taught 
them,  and  we  should  have  profited  by  that 
lesson  as  they  did.  So,  my  young  friend, 
it  sometimes  happens,  in  military  operations, 
that  a  victory  may  be  accounted  as  a  defeat, 
and  such  do  I  account  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run.' 

'  It  certainly  had  the  effect  to  make  a 
more  perfect  union  among  the  people  of  the 
North ;  for  after  that  battle  they  arose  in 
their  might,  and  brought  against  the  confed- 
eracy an  almost  overwhelming  power,'  said 
I,  wondering  as  to  what  purpose  was  intend- 
ed by  the  general's  expressing  his  sentiments 
BO  freely  to  a  humble  subaltern  of  his  staff. 

'Precisely,'  he  resumed;  'the  North 
needed  just  such  a  check  to  arouse  into  action 
all  the  dormant  energies  and  resources  of  that 
enterprising  people.  It  enabled  them  to 
bring  even  to  the  walls  of  Vicksburg  a 
mighty  army  and  a  powerful  naval  fleet, 
which,  to  successfully  resist,  we  must  employ 
every  means  that  force  and  strategy  can  sug- 
gest. That  which  we  most  need  at  the  pres- 
ent juncture  is  information,  not  only  of  the 
real  strength  of  the  enemy's  land  forces,  but 
of  their  progress  in  intrenching  and  mining  ; 
of  their  weak  points  and  strong  points,  and 
of  the  character  and  numbers  of  their  re- 
serves. To  obtain  this  information  I  have 
sent  several  spies  to  their  camp,  but  they 
have  either  found  it  impossible  to  transmit 
information  within  our  lines,  or  they  have 
been  detected,  or,  perchance,  they  have  de- 
serted to  the  enemy,  and  thus  become  treach- 
erous to  their  several  trusts.  The  latter  I 
more  than  suspect. 

•  What  perfidy  ! '  I  exclaimed. 

'  Monstrous  ! '  he  added.     '  It  is  now  my 


desire  to  send  another  spy  within  their  lines, 
and  I  have  been  on  the  look-out  for  some 
days  to  find  a  shrewd,  intelligent,  active, 
faithful  young  man,  with  sufficient  intrepid- 
ity and  patriotism  to  undertake  the  perilous 
duty.  I  think  I  have  discovered  my  beau 
ideal  of  a  spy  at  last,  and  if  he  will  but ' 
volunteer, — for  I  would  .not  urge  any  one 
to  perform  so  perilous  a  task, — and  should 
he  be  successful,  he  will  be  generously  re- 
warded and  receive  the  thanks  of  a  grateful 
people.' 

'  Such  an  one,  general,  as  you  have  de- 
scribed must  be  a  rare  individual,'  said  I, 
looking  up  and  meeting  his  scrutinizing  gaze. 

'  It  may  be  so ;  but  he  to  whom  I  refer 
is  none  other  than  yourself,'  he  replied,  with 
serious  emphasis. 

' '/.' '  was  my  ejaculation.  '  You  do  mo 
tdo  much  honor,  general ;  you  flatter  me  far 
beyond  my  merits.' 

'  Leave  us  to  judge  of  your  qualifications 
for  the  enterprise,  and  you  shall  be  entitled 
to  accept  or  reject  so  important  and  perilous 
a  mission.' 

'  I  must  have  a  little  time  to  consider  of 
it,'  said  I,  in  a  thoughtful  manner.  '  To  be 
a  successful  spy ' 

'  Is  honorable  !  ' 

'  To  fail  as  a  spy ' 


'  Is  ignominy,  and  if  detected  leads  to  an 
ignominious  death  !  '  said  he,  interrupting 
me.  '  I  would  have  you  understand,  before 
committing  yourself  to  such  an  enterprise, 
that  it  is  beset  with  a  thousand  dangers. 
The  chances  of  failure  are  more  than  the 
chances  of  success.  Still,  I  am  impressed 
with  the  belief  that  you  would  be  success- 
ful. I  could  suggest  a  disguise  that  would 
defy  detection,  if  detection  depended  upon 
your  general  appearance.' 

'  Pardon  me,  general,  if  my  curiosity 
leads  me  to  ask  you  the  character  of  the 
disguise  you  would  select  for  me.' 

'  A  female  disguise  !  '  was  his  reply. 
'  You  have  a  light  complexion,  small  hands, 
a  smooth  skin,  and  a  figure  that  would  not 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


101 


look  awkward  or  unbecoming  in  female  at- 
tire. By  shaving  off  that  moustache,  and 
improving  your  coiffure  slightly,  I  can  ira- 
agluo  that  you  would  pass  current  anywhere 
as  a  damsel  of  no  little  attractiveness.' 

'  But  my  voice,  general,   would  betray 
,  me,'   I  remarked,   in   decidedly  masculine 
tones,  for  I  had  cultivated  the  guttural  notes 
of  my  throat  to  such  a  degree,  that  I  flat- 
tered myself  my  utterance  was  quite  manly. 

*  You  can  very  easily  acquire  the  art  of 
B|"eiking  in  a  higher  key,'  said  he,  forcing 
his  own  utterance  up  to  a  falsetto,  by  way 
of  example. 

'  Yes,  sir,  I  think  that  would  not  be  very 
difBcult,  for  I  always  could  sing  like  a  wo- 
man. But  the  idea  of  becoming  a  spy ; 
that  is  what  staggers  me  ! ' 

'  It  is  enough  to  stagger  any  one  ;  and  I 
would  not  have  you  accept  it  if  you  enter- 
tain an  idea  that  it  is  dishonorable,  or  if, 
through  fear,  you  are  prompted  to  decline 
it.  In  warfare,  between  civilized  nations, 
spies  are  resorted  to  as  essential  to  military 
operations ;  and  the  shrewdest,  the  most 
discreet,  and  the  most  observing,  are  usually 
eelected  for  this  position.  I  could  find  a 
thousand  fit  to  command  a  regiment,  where 
one  could  be  found  to  act  well  the  part  of  a 
spy.  Therefore,  I  consider  the  duty  hon- 
orable whenever  necessity  demands  it ;  and 
Heaven  knows  that  we,  in  this  beleaguered 
city,  are  in  such  strait  now  as  would  make 
any  expedient  justifiable  that  can  possibly 
afford  us  relief.' 

'  Can  it  be  possible  there  is  any  immediate 
danger  of  the  city's  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  besiegers  V '  I  inquired,  in  a  con- 
cerned manner. 

'  The  danger  is  imminent,  though  that  in- 
formation must  not  go  beyond  this  office.  If 
our  brave  defenders  understood  the  military 
position  as  well  as  I  do,  it  would  produc3 
a  panic  among  them  that  nothing  could  allay. 
Still,  I  have  hope  ;  first,  through  obtaining 
information  of  the  enemy,  and,  secondly, 
through  the  safe  admission  of  supplies,  of 


every  description  that  we  now  stand  desper- 
ately in  need  of.' 

The  conversation  that  followed  related 
chiefly  to  the  manner  in  which  the  expected 
supplies  were  to  be  introduced  into  the  city, 
the  details  of  which  may  be  inferred  from, 
events  which  soon  after  occurred. 

The  great  confidence  which  the  general' 
appeared  to  repose  in  me,  instead  of  elating, 
absolutely  depressed  my  spirits.  I  felt  al- 
most like  a  guilty  thing  in  receiving  from- 
his  lips  that  which  should  have  been  givea- 
to  one  thoroughly  loyal  to  the  confederate 
cause,  instead  of  to  one  whose  stern  duty  it- 
was  to  betray  it  on  the  first  opportunity. 
However,  a  moment's  reflection  satisfied  all 
conscientious  scruples,  and  I  listened  atten- 
tively to  the  end.  Then,  with  a  zealoua 
ardor  that  took  him  almost  by  surprise,  I  said, 

'  The  mission  you  propose,  general,  I  will 
accept. ' 

He  gazed  at  me  a  moment  with  unaccount- 
able interest,  as  if  he  felt  that  the  sacrifice 
might  be  too  great  should  anything  serious- 
befal  me. 

'  Do  not  decide  too  hastily,'  he  continued. 

'  I  have  weighed  the  matter  fully  in  my 
mind,'  was  the  answer,  '  and  iam  prepared  to 
go  as  a  spy  into  the  enemy's  lines.' 

'  Do  not  too  slightly  estimate  the  perils.* 

'I  have  considered  all.' 

'  I  had  proposed  in  my  own  mind  to  give 
you  until  to-morrow  morning  to  consider  it.' 

'  My  answer  will  still  be  the  same. ' 

•  I  applaud  your  resolution,  but  I  would" 
have  you  reflect — aye,  reflect  seriously.' 

'  I  have  already  determined,  general,  aud^ 
only  await  your  instructions.'      * 

'  I  did  not  anticipate,  lieutenant,  that  you 
would  come  to  a  decision  so  quickly.  If  you 
are  of  the  same  mind  to-morrow  mornino-  at 
ten  o'clock,  the  instructions  pertaining  to 
your  enterprise  will  be  given  you  ;  and  such 
preparations  as  will  aid  you  and  add  to  your 
safety  will  have  been  made  at  that  hour,  so 
that  you  can  depart  without  delay,  for  the 
exigency  requires  immediate  action.' 


102 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


The  interview  was  now  brought  to  a  close, 
and  the  general  dismissed  me  from  his  pres- 
ence with  some  congratulary  remarks,  and 
Bome  most  excellent  advice  for  my  adoption 
after  reaching  the  encampments  of  the  enemy. 

No  sooner  bad  I  passed  out  of  the  gen- 
eral's private  room  than  I  again  met,  face  to 
face,  my  rebel  friend,  Col.  Lamar.  He  gave 
me  a  most  searching  glance,  as  he  leisurely 
passed  by,  but  there  was  no  sign  of  recog- 
nition in  that  look.  As  he  entered  the  door- 
way that  I  had  just  come  out  of,  I  had  some 
little  suspicion  that  his  interview  with  the 
general  had  something  to  do  with  the  prop- 
osition tliat  had  been  made  to  me.  How- 
ever, the  second  time  of  meeting  his  gaze 
on  that  day,  threw  me  not  into  that  intense 
Btate  of  trepidation  that  his  first  did,  and  I 
went  on  my  way  rejoicing,  thinking — oh, 
:how  strangely — that  instead  of  having  bee7i 
detected  as  a  Federal  Spy,  I  had  been  se- 
lected as  the  most  proper  individual  in  all 
Vickshurg  to  become  a  Spy  of  the  Confed- 
erates ! 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

MY     NEW    DISGUISE     TESTED  I     KEEP     MY 

PROMISE     TO      OB.\DIAH      TOMLINSON  I 

MYSTIFY   THE   REBEL    COMMANDER. 

A  DOUBLE  SPY  !    That  was  my  character 

now.     I  possessed  the  confidence  of  the  two 

great  contending  generals.     One  of  them, 

of  couree,    must   be  betrayed.     Was   ever 

man  or  woman  placed  in  such  a  position  ? 

It  was   no   dilemma,    however — there  was 
« 

nothing  perplexing  about  it.  My  best  en- 
ergies had  been  given  to  one  great  cause, 
and  my  heart  was  in  it  still. 

And  because  a  strange  circumstance — a 
remarkable  coincidence — had  placed  in  my 
hands  the  power  to  do  the  real  enemy  a 
tenfold  mischief,  should  I  not  use  it  to  the 
fullest  extent  ?  Should  I  throw  away  the 
great  advantage  to  be  gained  by  not  accept- 
ing the  position  of  a  rebel  spy  ?    Should  I 


not  be  a  half-traitress  to  our  own  loyal  com- 
mander by  such  a  course?  And  would  not 
he  forever  despise  me  for  such  inexcusable 
imbecility  ?  Moreover,  my  love  of  my  coun- 
try, in  whose  service  I  actually  was,  must 
outweigh  my  own  petty  scruples,  and,  in- 
deed, all  considerations  whatever.  To  servo 
her  with  all  the  zeal  and  power  I  possessed, 
was  not  only  my  desire  but  my  duty. 

Such  was  the  tenor  of  my  thouglits  as  I 
wended  my  way  towards  my  private  quar- 
ters ;  and  on  arrivin<j,  I  sat  about  making 
my  own  individual  preparations  for  a  new 
and  startling  adventure.  My  chief  work, 
before  again  appearing  at  the  general's 
headquarters,  consisted  in  condensing  in 
as  brief  a  space  as  possible  the  results 
of  all  my  operations  in  Vicksburg,  together 
with  much  information  I  had  received  while 
performing  my  duties  for  the  past  few  days, 
;md  from  the  commanding  general's  own 
lips.  I  had  previously  made  miniaturo 
copies  of  the  topographical  views  of  the  cit- 
adel, its  fortifications  and  outworks.  So 
minute  were  these,  that  they  were  on  a  scale 
of  not  more  than  one-eighth  of  an  inch  to  a 
foot  of  the  original  diagrams.  But  they 
were  distinct  and  comprehensive.  These  I 
concealed  by  carefully  sewing  them  in  the 
lining  of  an  under  garment;  and  so  skilfully 
was  it  done  that  I  flattered  myself  that  my 
work  would  defy  detection. 

It  was  a  late  hour  of  the  night  before  I 
accomplished  the  task  I  had  given  myself  to 
perform.  Then  I  retired  to  rest  to  dream  of 
strange  adventures,  of  encountering  strange 
characters,  and  of  doing  such  extraordinary 
things  for  a  mortal,  that  they  might  have 
astonished  the  genii  of  the  wonderful  lamp. 

I  arose  at  my  accustomed  hour,  and  after 
partaking  of  breakfast,  and  intimating  to 
Madame  Ramsey  that  it  was  altogether  prob- 
able I  should  be  absent  for  several  days,  I 
betook  myself  straightway  to  head-quarters, 
and  shortly  after  arriving  there  was  closeted 
with  the  commanding  general. 

He  greeted  me  with  cheering  words  wid 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


103 


sinilina;  looks,  although  I  thought  I  detected 
something  akin  to  regret,  when  I  gave  a 
mj.5t  decisive  affirmative  answer  to  his  en- 
(^uiry  whether  or  not  I  adhered  to  my  deter- 
mination of  the  afternoon  previous. 

*  It  is  then  for  the  best,'  he  remarked. 
'  In  this  dark  hour  of  our  struggle  the  most 
desperate  measures  and  the  greatest  of  sac- 
ritices  must  be  made.  I  feel  that  you  are 
the  chosen  one  to  perform  a  great  work,  and 
if  you  s'lould  le  eniirjly  successful,  I  am 
sure  our  countiy  will  honor  you  if  the  gov- 
ernment should  fail  to  reward  you  adequate- 
ly. ]\Iy  instructions  will  be  brief,  because 
circumstances  must,  in  a  great  measure, 
govern  your  actions.' 

With  this  speech  he  produced  a  foolscap 
ehoet  from  his  desk,  and  read  therefrom  the 
precise  objects  of  ray  mission,  together  with 
,Eome  instructions  how  to  avoid  some  obsta- 
cles which  would  most  probably  beset  my 
path. 

'  As  I  propose  that  you  shall  leave  our 
lines  under  a  flag  of  truce,'  he  resumed, 
'  it  will  be  a  necessary  part  of  my  plan 
that  you  do  so  disguised  as  a  lady  who 
is  desirous  of.  joining  her  friends  at  the 
North,  from  whom  this  Cruel  war  has  so  long 
eepai-ated  her.  I  have  had  provided  for 
you  a  complete  disguise  ;  and  if  you  desire 
to  test  its  effectiveness,  array  yourself  in  it 
iind  let  me  decide  how  it  becomes  you. 
McEinwhile,  I  will  prepare  for  you  a  written 
passport,  and  also  provide  you  with  a  cipher 
and  key,'  with  which  you  can  safely  trans- 
mit any  intelligence  that  you  may  deem  of 
service  tons.' 

He  forthwith  showed  me  into  a  small  ante- 
room, where  was  exposed  a  wardrobe  well 
suited  for  a  lady  travelling  during  the  sum- 
mer months. 

Without  liesitation  I  commenced  the  ope- 
ration of  transforming  my  outer  self  from  a 
counterfeit  officer  of  the  confederate  service 
to  a  genuine  woman,  supposed  to  be  a  man 
in  disguise. 

This,  as  you  will  readily  presume,  was  an 


easy  task.  I  took  to  the  crinoline  as  natur- 
ally as  if  I  had  never  tampered  with  the  lia- 
biliments  of  the  other  sex  ;  and  in  the  course 
of  half  an  hour  I  had  made  my  toilet.  My 
downy  moustache  had  disappeared ;  the 
green  blind  had  given  place  to  a  veiy  deli- 
cate white  patch  ;  and  the  short,  wavy  curls 
of  a  genteel  young  man  were  now  visible 
beneath  a  luxuriant  coiiFure,  and  pendant 
thereto,  a  flow  of  curls  that  the  fairest  dam- 
sel might  look  upon  with  envy. 

A  hat,  quite  becoming  for  the  times ;  a 
pair  of  No.  G  1-2  kid  gloves  which  I  did  not 
severely  strain  in  encasing  my  hand  therein ; 
an  embroidered  handkerchief ;  a  parasol,  and 
a  ladies'  travelling  bag,  containing  a  few 
female  indispensables,  made  up  the  lighter 
equipments  of  my  costume. 

For  the  purpose  of  testing  my  metamor- 
phose, I  left  the  ante-room  by  a  door  which 
led  into  the  main  hall,  and  after  the  lapse  of 
three  or  four  minutes  I  gave  a  most  lady-like 

tap  at  the   door  of  Gen.    P 's  private 

apartment. 

He  did  not  respond  in  his  accustomed 
brusque  manner  by  singing  out,  in  a  loud 
tone  of  voice,  '  Come  in  ! '  but  as  if  he  rec- 
ognized that  the  tapping  came  from  none  but 
delicate  female  hands,  he  came  to  the  door 
himself,  and  bowed  me  into  his  room  in  the 
most  suave  and  respectful  manner. 

'  Have  I  the  honor  of  addressing  Gen. 
P ?'  I  asked,  in  good  contralto  tones. 

'  Yes,  madam,  atyour  service  ;  be  seated,' 
he  replied,  oftering  me  a  chair,  bowing  all 
the  time  most  politely,  which  convinced  me 
that  he  had  no  recollection  of  ever  having 
seen  me  before. 

'  You  do  not  recognize  me  ?  '  said  I. 

'  Beg  pardon,  madam,  I  cannot  precisely 
place  you  ; — the  fact  is,  I  have  the  worst 
memory  in  the  world — can't  remember  faces ; 
and  yet. ' 

'  You  certainly  have  not  forgotten  that  I 
called  upon  you  but  a  few  days  ago  ?  ' 

'  Upon  my  life,  madam,  I  cannot  quite 
recall  the  circumstance,'  he  replied.     'It 


104 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,   THE 


distresses  me  to  know  that  I  have  such  a 
poor  memory.  I  hope  you  will  pardon  mo 
if  I  confess  that  I  don't  remember  that  I 
ever  set  eyes  on  you  before  in  my  life  ?  ' 

'  Strange — most  unaccountable — not  more 
than  a  week — yes,  less  than  a  week ;  the  day 
on  which  you  received  the  provost  marshal 
on  that  female  spy  business,'  I  remarked, 
with  a  view  of  assisting  his  mem.ory. 

'  Lady  I  have  not  the  remotest  idea  who 
you  are  ;  but  if  you  will  state  your  business 
or  the  object  of  this  call,  perhaps  that  which 
is  so  obtuse  to  my  brain  may  be  sharpened 
a  little.' 

'  You  remember  the  day  that  Lieutenant 
Temple  entered  upon  his  duties  at  this 
office  ? ' 

'  Perfectly  well,  madam.' 

'  May  I  ask  if  he  is  still  employed  in  this 
office  ? ' 

'  He  is,  madam ;  that  is,  not  exactly  at 
the  desk,  but  in  another  and  I  hope  more 
lucrative  capacity.' 

'  Can  I  have  permission  to  see  him?  ' 

'  Really,  madam,  not  just  at  present.  If 
you  will  call  again  to-morrow,  or  the  next 
day,  perhaps  it  may  be  possible  for  you  to 
see  him.     Are  you  a  relative  of  his?  ' 

'  Yes,  sir,  a  very  near  relative.' 

'  A  sister  ? ' 

'Nearer  than  that.' 

'  You  surely  cannot  be  his  wife  ;  for  I 
am  very  certain  he  is  not  married  ? 

'  No,  sir,  I  am  not  his  wife.' 

'  Well  I  could  take  my  oath  that  he  is 
neither  your  son  nor  your  father,'  said  the 
general,  facetiously.  'Ah!  how  stupid  I 
am !  I  might  have  comprehended  at  a 
glance — a  lover.     You  are  his  affianced.' 

'  No,  general,  I  am  none  of  these  ;  and 
as  it  is  quite  impertinent  for  me  to  under- 
take to  mystify  you  any  longer  in  this  silly 
manner,  I  have  the  pleasure  of  introducing 
myself  as  George  Temple  that  was — as 
your  humble  servant,  the  confederate  spy, 
that  is  !  and  only  await  that  my  command- 
ing general  shall  bestow  upon  me  a  name 


fitted  for  such  a  unique  specimen  of  the  fem- 
inine gender  as  I  must  appear  to  bo.' 

*  Can  it  be  possible?'  he  ejaculated,  gaz- 
ing at  me  with  surprise  and  pleasure.  '  How 
my  eyes  have  been  deceived.  Why,  you'd 
defy  the  severest  scrutiny.  You  absolutely 
look  more  like  a  female  now,  than  you  did 
like  a  male.  It  would  puzzle  Old  Nick 
himself  to  see  anything  masculine  in  you. 
Not  a  bad  looking  young  woman  either  do 
you  make.  I  must  warn  you  against  show- 
ing off  any  of  your  blandishments  cither 
among  my  subalterns,  or  among  those  of  the 
enemy,  or  they'll  be  making  love  so  closely 
to  you  as  to  throw  you  off  your  guard.' 

'  Never  fear  me,  general ;  I  shall  be  so 
prudish  and  dignified  in  my  demeanor  that 
they  will  find  precious  little  attraction  in 
me.  But  I  propose,  as  soon  as  I  have  cross- 
ed the  lines,  to  improve  the  first  opportunity 
to  get  myself  into  a  uniform  of  blue,  and 
reserve  the  crinoline  and  petticoats  for  my 
return.' 

'  I  can  have  no  doubt  of  your  ability  to 
rival  Proteus  himself,  after  this  evidence  of 
your  skill  in  changing  yourself  into  what 
you  are  not.' 

'  The  disguise  you  have  furnished,  gen- 
eral, happens  to  fit  my  style, — that  is  all ; 
and  not  any  particular  merit  on  my  part, 
except  in  the  matter  of  coiffure,  and  this 
slight  improvement  over  my  left  eye.' 

'  Nothing  could  be  more  perfect.  You 
will  certainly  pass  the  lines  without  the  re- 
motest suspicion.' 

'  Which  I  am  ready  to  do  at  your  earliest 
order.  Indeed,  the  hours  have  hung  so 
heavily  upon  my  hands  ever  since  I  left  this 
apartment  yesterday,  so  eager  am  I  to  do 
something  that  may  help  the  cause  of  our 
bleeding  country.' 

The  general  then  placed  in  my  hands  a 
purse  of  gold,  and  a  paper  written  in  cipher, 
containing  additional  instructions,  and  then 
asked  me  if  there  was  anything  else  I  de- 
sired, or  any  favor  to  solicit  that  he  could 
grant. 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


105 


I  at  once  bethought  of  the  promise  I  had 
made  ia  making  my  peace  with  Obadiah 
Tomlinson. 

*  Yes,  general,'  said  I,  *  there  is  one  favor 
that  I  would  ask  of  you ;  and  that  is  to  par- 
don a  poor  weak-minded  soldier,  who  was 
direleet  in  his  duty  while  acting  as  sentinel 
before  a  private  residence  in  this  city  which 
was  suspected  of  haiboring  a  spy  of  the  en- 
emy.' 

'  Ah  !  I  remember  the  ease  you  speak  of. 
It  was  a  very  flagrant  one.  He  had  not 
only  deserted  his  post,  but  was  absolutely 
found  dead  drunk,  with  his  uniform,  and 
even  his  musket  taken  from  him.' 

'  Did  it  not  occur  to  you  that  he  might 
have  been  drugged,  for  the  very  reason  that 
you  have  named  ?  ' 

'  It  certainly  did  not ;  but  it  is  possible 
that  such  might  have  been  the  case.  If  such 
can  be  shown  to  be  the  fact,  he  shall  at 
once  be  pardoned.' 

'  It  may  not  be  ■  susceptible  of  proof,  but 
this  much  I  know ;  he  has  the  reputation  of 
being  a  very  temperate  man,  and  was  never 
before  known  to  be  intoxicated  in  his  life ; 
and  I  have  other  reasons  for  believing  that 
he  is  not  flagrantly  blamable,  which,  if  I 
had  time,  I  could  undoubtedly  substantiate. 
Arid  it  is,  certainly,  a  strong  circumstantial 
evidence  in  his  favor  that  his  gun  and  uni- 
form were  taken  from  hira,  showing  most 
conclusively  to  my  mind  that  another  party 
— an  enemy  of  his  or  to  the  country — must 
be  the  guilty  party.' 

'  I  certainly  did  not  entertain  this  view 
of  the  case,'  replied  the  general.  '  Your 
reasoning  is  good,  and  I  think  I  can  prom- 
ise you  that  he  shall  be  liberated  and  restor- 
ed to  the  ranks  as  soon  as  to-morrow.  I  will 
but  take  a  little  time  to  review  the  matter, 
and  if  the  facts  already  known  sustain  the 
impression  now  received,  your  request  shall 
be  granted.' 

'  Thanks,  general,  I  can  now  enter  upon 
my  new  duties  with  additional  satisftiction. 


I  have  nothing  more  to  ask,  except,  what  is 
my  name  ? ' 

'  Oh,  you  will  find  that  on  portions  of 
your  wardrobe  and  on  your  passport.  If  I 
recollect  right  your  full  address  is,  "Stella 
Clarke,  Lexington,  Ky."  ' 

'Stella  Clarke.     I  must  remember  that.' 

A  few  moments  more  of  conversation  en- 
sued, when  the  general  rang  his  bell,  which 
summoned  an  orderly  to  his  presence. 

'  Say  to  Colonel  Winnett  that  I  desire  his 
presence  here  for  a  few  moments. ' 

The  officer  named  soon  appeared,  to  whom 
the  general  introduced  me  as  Miss  Clarke ; 
'  a  lady,'  he  added,  '  who  wishes  to  pass  our 
lines  into  the  enemy's  country.' 

The  colonel,  whom  I  had  several  times 
come  in  contact  with  in  the  office,  scrutinized 
me  with  his  keen  eyes  as  closely  as  courtesy 
and  good  breeding  would  permit. 

'  I  am  at  your  service,  general,'  said  the 
colonel. 

'  I  desire  that  you  should  procure  a  car- 
riage,' resumed  th^general,  '  and  accompany 
her  to  the  outposts,  and,  through  a  flag  of 
truce,  gain  permission  of  the  enemy  to  allow 
her  to  pass  within  their  lines ;  and  also  with 
the  request  that  she  may  proceed,  without 
delay,  to  her  place  of  destination.' 

'  And  what  if  the  object  of  the  flag  of 
truce  be  refused?  '  suggested  Col.  "VYinnott 

'  Insist  upon  it ;  and  if  they  still  refuse 
make  such  terms  for  affecting  your  purpose 
as  you  may  deem  judicious.  Only  I  cau- 
tion you  not  to  appear  to  be  over-anxioua 
about  it  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy.  If 
all  reasonable  effort  fail,  of  course  you  must 
return  with  her  to  these  headquarters.  But 
I  do  not  anticipate  any  such  contingency. ' 

The  colonel  saluted  and  retired.  In  tho 
course  of  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  he  re- 
turned, and  after  bidding  adieu  to  the  com- 
manding general,  I  was  escorted  by  the  col- 
onel to  the  courtyard,  where  a  close  carnage 
stood  in  waiting.  I  observed  a  new  trunk 
upon  the  rear  of  the  carriage,  with  '  S.  C 
Lexington,  Ky.'* marked  distinctly  upon  it. 


106 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


Col.  Winnett  immediately  handed  me  into 
the  vehicle,  gave  a  few  words  of  instruction 
to  the  driver,  and  it  rolled  out  of  the  court- 
yard into  the  street,  and  thence  on  through 
several  avenues  towards  the  suburbs  of  the 
city,  occasionally  stopping  to  answer  some 
challenge  of  the  several  sentinels  posted  on 
the  way. 

At  length  we  reached  the  outposts,  when 
my  affable  and  polite  escort  alighted,  and 
enquired  for  the  officer  of  the  guard,  to 
whom  he  made  known  his  errand. 

A  white  flag  was  now  unrolled,  and  placed 
in  the  charge  of  a  sergeant,  who,  flanked 
by  two  privates,  advanced  some  twenty  or 
thirty  paces  to  the  front,  and  waved  the  em- 
blem of  peace. 

A  similar  movement  followed  on  the  skirt 
of  a  wood,  beyond  the  intervening  plain; 
and  I  could  soon  discern,  with  the  naked 
eye,  the  truce  fliig  of  the  federals  fluttering 
like  a  dove  in  the  wind,  as  if  always  ready 
to  meet  the  peace  signal  of  the  belligerents. 
Col.  Winnett,  with  the  lieutenant  of  the 
guard,  now  advanced  to  where  the  flag  of 
truce  halted,  and  then  the  whole  party 
moved  onward,  while  an  equal  number  of  the 
enemy  was  approaching  from  the  opposite 
outpost  to  meet  them  as  nearly  as  possible 
in  the  centre  of  the  plain. 

The  confereuce  lasted  but  a  few  minutes ; 
but  a  longer  delay  was  made  in  the  despatch 
of  a  messenger  to  'the  federal  camp,  bearing 
the  request  of  the  commanding  general, 
made  through  Col.  Winnett,  to  grant  the  safe 
transit  to  the  federal  lines  of  Miss  Stella 
Clarke,  a  lady  of  Lexington,  Ky. 

Nearly  half  an  hour  elapsed  before  the 
return  of  the  messenger.'  Then,  after  an- 
other brief  conference  was  had,  the  driver  of 
the  vehicle  was  signalled  to  move  forward 
to  the  centre  of  the  field. 

As  soon  as  the  vehicle  stopped,  I  was 
assisted  out  by  Col.  Winnett,  who  introduced 
me  to  the  federal  officer,  Lieut.  Kilham  by 
name,  by  whom  I  was  received  in  a  very 
courteous  manner,  and  who,  the  moment  he 


saw  me,  despatched  another  messenger  to 
camp  to  bring  a  horee  for  my  iLse,  and  guvo 
my  trunk  in  charge  of  two  privates,  to  con- 
vey to  his  quarters,  there  to  remain  until 
further  orders. 

Col.  Winnett  bade  me,  I  thought,  rather 
an  affectionate  adieu  ;  and  he  socnied  to  look 
upon  my  departure  from  rcbeldoin  as  really 
a  sad  event,  and  wondered  that  I  took  the 
matter  so  coolly. 

In  a  few  minutes,  an  easy,  ambling  horso 
was  placed  at  my  disposal,  and  T  rode  into 
the  very  midst  of  the  Yankee  encampment, 
at  an  hour  when  all  had  an  opportunity  to 
feast  their  eyes  upon  so  interesting  a  curios- 
ity as  a  lady  who  had  just  come  from  within 
the  walls  of  the  beleaguered  city,  which  they 
had  such  an  intense  longing  to  look  into. 

I  was  informed,  on  arriving  at  the  lieuten- 
ant's headquarters,  that  it  was  expressly 
stipulated  with  the  rebel  colonel  that  I 
should,  before  being  allowed  to  prccoed  on 
my  journey  northwardly,  be  taken  before 
the  general  connnanding  all  the  land  forces 
before  Vicksburg. 

As  you  may  readily  suppose,  I  did  not 
make  any  very  serious  objection  to  this 
arrangement.  Indeed,  I  expressed  my  wish 
to  appear  before  that  ofiicer  witli  as  little 
delay  as  possible ;  and  infonncd  him  that, 
if  the  distance  was  not  far,  I  would  go  at 
once. 

He  replied,  saying  that  it  was  too  long  a 
tramp  for  a  lady  to  take ;  and  if  I  would 
accept  the  hospitalities  of  his  tent  until  a  ve- 
hicle could  be  procured,  he  would  himself 
accompany  me. 

While  means  of  transporting  myself  to 
headquarters  were  being  procured,  my  trunk 
— or,  rather,  the  trunk — arrived.  As  I  had 
never  seen  the  inside  of  it,  nor  having  the 
slightest  suspicion  of  its  contents,  I  had  just 
woman's  curiosity  enough  to  open  it,  the  key 
of  which  having  been  given  mc  just  prior  to 
my.  departure  from  the  citadel  of  Vicksburg. 
It  was  a  well  and  neatly-packed  article  of 
baggage,  and  evidently  done  by  a  lady's 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


107 


hands ;  and  on  lifting  up  layer  after  layer  of 
linen,  silk,  etc.,  etc.,  I  came  to  the  conclu- 
sion, without  removing  a  single  garment, 
that  it  contained  simply  a  well-appointed 
wardrobe  for  a  young  lady.  I  noticed  the 
initials  of  my  new  nom  de  guerre  on  the 
first  article  that  presented  itself,  and  subse- 
quently ascertained  that  each  article  was  so 
marked. 

I  certainly  was  impressed  with  the  idea 
that  great  dispatch  muat  have  been  made  in 
fitting  me  out ;  or  else  I  was  made  involun- 
tarily to  appropriate  the  wearing  apparel  and 
r  trunk  of  some  bona  fide  demoiselle,  and  as- 
sume her  name  and  position.  This  latter 
suggestion  would  never  have  occurred  to  my 
mind,  had  I  not  a  very  vivid  recollection  of 
my  journey  into  Secessia,  the  character  I 
was  made  to  assume,  and  my  adventures  at 
Magnolia  Villa. 

But  before  satisfying  myself  on  this  point 
a  wagon  halted  before  the  tent.  I  hastily 
locked  the  trunk,  and  was  in  readiness  to 
leave  just  as  the  lieutenant  appeared  at  the 
entrance  of  the  tent. 

'  Will  you  have  your  luggage  go  with  you, 
or  shall  it  remain  with  me  subject  to  your 
order  ?  '  asked  the  officer. 

'  If  it  will  not  inconvenience  you,  I  prefer 
to  have  it  go  with  us  in  the  wagon,'  I  replied. 

'  There  was  no  stipulation  made  in  regard 
tb  luo;2;a2;e,'  he  resumed,  '  and  it  can  remain 
here  if  you  desire  it.  But  I  should  advise 
that  it  go  with  you,  that  is  to  say  if  it  is  all 
right ;  for  you  know  ladies  travelling  conven- 
iences are  no  more  regarded  in  these  times 
than  those  of  any  stranger  of  the  other  sex.' 

I  fully  agreed  with  him,  and  it  was  at 
once  put  aboard  the  vehicle.  The  officer 
then  handed  me  into  the  carriage  and  got  in 
beside  me,  while  a  Jehu,  who  had  unmis- 
takably Celtic  features,  drove  ofi"  at  a  brisk 
pace. 

'  My  companion,  or  escort,  kept  perfectly 
silent  until  we  had  passed  the  outer  guard 
of  the  encampment.     The  roads  begun  to 


be  shockingly  bad,  and  we  made  but  slow 
progress. 

'  Driver ! '  he  sung  out  at  length,  '  I  hope 
you  are  sure  of  the  way  'i  ' 

'  Be  jabers,  it's  not  ihe  rough  roads  that 
one  forgets  yer  honor,  but  the  smooth  ones,' 
replied  Pat. 

'  Then  you  have  been  over  this  road  be- 
fore?' 

*  Yez,  yer  honor.' 
'  Recently  ? ' 

'This  bHssid  mornin',  yer  honor.' 

'  How  far  is  it  to  Gen.  Grant's  head- 
quarters ■?  ' 

'  If  it  was  a  smooth  road,  yer  honor,  it 
would  be  about  five  mile ;  but,  indade,  it 
is  a  very  rough  one ;  therefore  it  is  about 
tin  mile.' 

'  That's  good  Irish  logic,  said  the  lieuten- 
ant, addressing  me. 

*  He's  practically  right,  but  theoretically 
wrong,'  I, replied. 

'  At  this  rate  of  travelling,  I  think  we 
have  a  good  two  hours'  journey  before  us, 
he  further  remarked. 

'  I  fear  it  will  prove  a  tedious  ride  to  you, 
sir,'  said  I. 

'  Not  in  the  least.  I  was  only  concerned 
on  your  account.' 

A  long  silence  succeeded  this  last  attempt 
at  being  conversational.  At  length  he  drew 
himself  up,  and  said  :  , 

'  Pardon  me.  Miss  Clarke,  but  I  wish  to 
know  how  long  you  have  resided  in  the  be- 
leaguered city  ? ' 

'  A  little  more  than  three  weeks,  sir.* 

'  Then  you  were  inside  the  walls  during 
the  great  bombardment  last  week  ?  ' 

*  I  was,  indeed.' 

'  You  must  have  had  a  lively  time  ? ' 
'  It  was  lively. ' 
'  It  must  have  been  terrific  ? ' 
'  Horrible  ! ' 

'  The  spectacle  in  the  evening  was  mag- 
nificently sublime.' 
'  Grand.' 
'  The  whole  city  appeared  to  be  in  flames?  * 


108 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


'It  did  appear  so,' 

'  The  whole  canopy  of  heaven  was  blazhig 
with  light  ?  ' 

'A  fearful  illumination.' 

*  The  thunders  of  our  cannon  caused  the 
earth  to  quake.' 

'  And  our  hearts  quaked,  too.' 

'With  fear?' 

•With  terror.' 

'  But  this  war  is  a  stem  necessity.' 

'  An  awful  calamity.' 

The  convei"sation,  which  continued,  was 
nearly  after  this  pyrotechnic  style.  As  it 
seemed  to  me,  Lieut.  ^  Kilham  was  either 
bent  on  pumping  me  in  regard  to  the  situa- 
tion of  the  rebels  within  the  walls,  or  he 
took  this  method  to  break  the  ice  for  a  more 
interesting  tctc-a-tete.  But  he  succeeded 
in  neither,  for  I  was  determined  to  be  as  re- 
ticent on  vital  points  to  all  who  should  at- 
tempt to  quiz  me — except  the  one  great 
chief  to  whom  I  should  unbosom  myself — as 
that  one  prominent  personage  has  the  repu- 
tation of  being  with  the  politicians. 

For  two  long  hours  we  were  slowly  drag- 
ged over  stones  and  through  deep  ruts,  until 
at  lenu;th  the  beatino;  of  drums,  and  the 
sounds  of  a  clarion,  indicated  to  us  that  we 
were  approaching  a  military  encampment. 

Our  Hibernian  Jehu,  encouraged  by  the 
cheerino;  indications,  began  to  belabor  his 
jaded  team  until  he  forced  them  into  a  very 
respectable  trot,  and  in  the  course  of  ten 
minutes  after,  we  came  to  a  halt  before  a 
large  marquee  which,  from  appearances,  I 
judged  to  be  that  of  the  federal  general  com- 
mandins;  the  besiso-inK  forces. 

My  social  escort  alighted,  and  after  po- 
litely escorting  me  from  the  vehicle,  sent  a 
request  by  an  orderly  for  a  few  moments' 
conversation  with  the  general-in-chief. 

Fortunately,  at  the  time,  the  conquering 
hei'o  had  no  other  occupation  than  puffing  a 
fiagrant  Havana,  whiph,  however,  he  laid 
aside  on  being  told  there  was  a  lady  in  the 
case. 

Lieutenant  Kilham   escorted  me   to  his 


presence,  introduced  me,  stating  the  circum- 
stances which  brought  me  into  the  lines,  and 
not  being  invited  to  tarry,  he  graciously  re- 
tired, leaving  me  timidly  confronting  the 
man  on  whom  our  great  hopes  for  the  re- 
duction of  Vicksburo;  seemed  to  centre. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

MASQUERADING     BEFORE     THE     COMMANDING 
GENERAL TUE  AGREEABLE  SURPRISE. 

I  WAS  alone  in  the  presence  of  the  great 
American  general. 

'  Be  seated.  Miss  Clarke,'  said  he,  as  his 
rigid  mouth  relaxed  for  a  few  moments  into 
a  pleasant  smile.  '  I  never  permit  a  lady  to 
stand  in  my  presence  whenever  a  three-leg- 
ged stool  can  be  had ; '  and  he  politely 
placed  at  my  disposal  a  portable  camp-chair, 
the  best  looking  one  in  his  not  too  luxurious- 
ly furnished  tent. 

Without  any  further  preliminary  remarks, 
he  proceeded  leisurely  to  examine  my  papers, 
which  had  been  previously  placed  on  his 
table.  Having  ^tisfied  himself,  as  T  su|> 
posed,  he  returned  them  into  my  hands, 
without  volunteering  any  opinion  as  to  their 
genuineness. 

'I.  trust  that  you  find  my  pxsse^i  and 
other  papers  sufficiently  correct  ? '  I  remark- 
ed, enquiringly. 

'  They  appear  to  be,'  he  replied. 

'  Here  is  the  key  to  my  trunk,  wliich 
came  with  me,  and  which  the  lieutenant  who 
escorted  me  hither  informed  me  would  prob- 
ably have  to  undergo  an  inspection.* 

'  We  are  compelled  to  exercise  extreme 
cautiousness,'  said  he,  receiving  the  key. 

'  When  can  T  proceed  on  my  journey,  sir?' 
I  asked. 

'  To  Lexington,  Kentucky?  It  is  a  long 
journey,'  he  said,  evading  my  direct  ques- 
tion. 'Facilities  for  travelling,  especially  for 
a  lady,  are  not  good.  In  the  course  of  two 
or  three  days  I  may  be  enabled  to  furnish 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


109 


you  comfortable  transportation,  and  perhaps 
an  escort. ' 

Before  I  had  an  opportunity  to  express 
my  thanks,  he  summoned  an  orderly,  and 
bade  him  give  his  cpok  orders  to  furnish  a 
lunch  for  t»wo  persons.  Then  turning  to  me, 
he  said : 

'.Your  luggage  shall  be  examined  immedi- 
ately by  a  trustworthy  woman,  to  whose  care 
I  must  commend  you,  until  you  can  leave 
the  camp.  Excuse  me — I  will  return  di- 
rectly,' and  he  left  me  alone. 

I  now  had  the  opportunity  of  taking,  with 
the  aid  of  a  pair  of  scissors,  from  their  place 
of  concealment,  the  condensed  despatches 
and  other  papers  which  I  had  prepared  at 
my  private  quarters  in  Vicksburg,  for  the 
information  of  the  general  in  whose  tent  I 
was  now  seated. 

It  was  evident  that  he  had  not  recognized 
me.  The  patch  over  my  eye,  which  I  hM 
not  removed  ;  the  style  of  my  coiffure ;  the 
dress  which  I  wore,  so  different  from  the  one 
he  had  last  seen  me  in,  together  with  other 
trifling  changes,  had  made  me  appear  as  a 
stranger  even  to  him.  Indeed,  had  I  been 
so  disposed,  I  believe  that  I  might  have 
acted  the  confederate  spy  successfully ;  but 
as  I  had  no  inclining  that  way,  it  was  best 
to  undeceive  him  without  loss  of  time. 

•  The  '  reticent '  man  soon  returned,  and 
as  he  came  in,  his  eye  lingered  upon  me  for 
some  moments,  and  then  he  resumed  his 
seat  without  uttering  a  syllable.  He  ap- 
peared to  be  in  deep  thought ;  but  whatever 
might  have  been  the  subject  he  was  consid- 
ering, I  quickly  changed  the  current  of  his 
cogitations,  by  placing  before  him  the  papers 
I  have  spoken  of. 

He  glanced  his  eye  hastily  and  eagerly 
over  them,  and  then  looking  up  into  my  face, 
he  asked : 

'  My  dear  young  -  lady,  how  came  these 
ptipers  in  your  possession  ?  ' 

'  I  brought  them  from  Vicksburg.' 

'  Then  you  know  their  author  1 ' 

'  As  well  as  I  know  myself.* 


'  She  is  a  friend  of  yours?*' 

*  An  intimate  one,' 

'  I  hope  she  is  well  ?  ' 

'  In  perfect  health.' 

'  And  enjoying  her  freedom  ?  * 

'  As  well  as  any  one  can  enjoy  it  in  a  be- 
sieged city,  under  martial  law. ' 

'  This  intelligence,  my  dear  IMiss  Clarke, 
gives  me  great  joy.  I  feared  something 
serious  had  befallen  the  person  from  whom 
these  papers  came.  In  truth,  I  have  been 
thinking  of  her  almost  every  moment  since 
you  entered  my  quarters.' 

'  Perhaps  I  remind  you  of  her,  general. 
It  is  said  that  we  very  nearly  resemble  each 
other.' 

'  Ah  !  that  is  it ;  you  do  remind  me  of 
that  remarkable  young  lady ;  and  it  is  a 
compliment  to  any  young  lady  to  be  told  so.' 

At  this  remark  I  burst  into  a  merry 
laugh  ;  pulled  the  unseemly  patch  from  my 
eye,  and  exclaimed  : 

'  I  will  masquerade  no  longer !  Don't 
you  know  La  Vivandiere,  general  ?  ' 

He  started  up  as  if  he  had  received  an 
electric  shock  ;  and  if  his  sense  of  propriety 
had  not  forbidden  it,  I  am  sure  he  would 
have  embraced  me  with  as  much  ardor  and 
joy  as  if  I  had  been  his  own  daughter. 

'  Well,  well.  Miss  Virginia — ^you  have 
played  it  handsomely  on  U.  S.  Gr.;  and  the 
woman  who  can  deceive  him  may  pull  the 
wool  over  the  eyes  of  Old  Nick  himself.' 

'  I  have  pulled  it  completely  over  the  eyee 
of  your  great  antagonist  in  yonder  citadel, 
general.' 

'  Then  you  have  come  in  contact  with  him?' 

'  Not  only  that,  but  I  succeeded  in  get- 
ting that  position  on  his  staff,  with  the  rank 
of  lieutenant ;  and  I  am  now  within  your 
lines  by  his  sanction  and  authority.' 

'  I  cannot  quite  understand  that.' 

'  I  am  a  rebel  spy,  under  rebel  authority !  ' 

*  Impossible  !  ' 

*  Here  are  my  certificates  in  cipher,  and 
here  is  the  key  which  will  enable  you  to  read 
them ;  and  by  the  same  key  you  may  peruse 


110 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


the  general's  instructions  which  have  been 
given  nic  for  my  guidance ; '  and  I  gave  him 
a  small  packet  of  papers  which  I  had  re- 
ceived at  rebel  headquarters. 

'  I  will  read  them  at  my  leisure,'  said  he ;' 
'  meanwhile  I  am  anxious  to  learn  the  state 
of  afiairs  within  the  city  if  you  are  not  too 
much  fatigued.' 

'  Pardon  me,  general,  if  my  anxiety  for 
my  friends  leads  me  first  to  enquire  after 
their  health.' 

'  I  know  of  but  two  for  whom  you  seemed 
to  entertain  a  special  regard  at  the  time  you 
left.  They  arc  both  well  and  in  good  spir- 
its, for  I  saw  them  this  morning ;  and  if  it 
is  any  sati.^^  fact  ion  to  you,  I  will  inform  you 
that  I  never  come  in  contact  with  eitlier  of 
them  without  being  obhged  to  answer  a 
whole  volley  of  questions  concerning  you. 
13ut  you  may  see  them  yoiirself,  and  afford 
them  the  great  relief  they  seem  to  crave.' 

'  Nay,  general,  I  must  not  see  them  yet.' 

'  Not  see  them  ? ' 

'  Not  until  my  mission  is  fulfilled.' 

'  Your  mission  has  already  been  fraught 
with  gi-eater  success  tlian  my  most  sanguine 
expectations  had  led  me  to  believe  was  pos- 
sible.' 

'  I  shall  not  consider  my  duty  as  a  federal 
spy  complete  until  Vicksburg  falls  into  your 
hands.'  . 

'  What !  you  do  not  propose  to  return  to 
the  city '? ' 

'  ]Most  decidedly,  general.' 

'  And  you  have  the  courage  so  to  do  ? ' 

•  I  tiTist  that  I  have.' 

•  Even  after  all  that  has  taken  place  ?  ' 
'  I  have  counted  the  cost. ' 

'  But  I  fear  you  have  not  considered  the 
hazard  of  re-pa.ssing  their  lines.' 

'  There  is  not  that  hazard  which  you  im- 
agine, general,' said  I,  spiritedly.  '  Am.  I 
not  a  confederate  spy  ?  and  when  I  have 
piissed  your  pickets  will  I  not  be  received 
by  the  enemy's  general  almost  as  the  ex- 
pected deliverer  of  the  city  ?  ' 


'  Ah  !  Then  you  propose  to  keep  up  the 
character  of  a  confeder-xte  i-pyV  ' 

'  Only  with  your  full  appn)l>ation,  gener;  1 
My  plan  is,  that  I  shall  ))e  ku(  w:i  and  re- 
cognized here  only  in  my  prt-.^cut  incognita ; 
and  that  I  shall  be  detained  in  your  camp 
for  some  two  or  three  day  ,  as  you  .shall  de- 
termine. Then,  I  desire  tli:;t  you  shall  make 
it  known  to  one  of  your  subalterns  that  you 
have  very  reluctantly  decided,  for  pruden- 
tial reasons,  not  to  permit  me  to  resume  my 
proposed  journey  northward,  and  send  me 
back  under  a  flag  of  truce  as  a  suspicious 
character. ' 

'  In  that  case  I  shall  be  compelled  to  con- 
sider you  in  the  light  of  a  piisoner,  instead 
of  allowing  you  the  freedom  of  the  camp.' 

'  Precisely  the  suggestion  I  intended  to 
have  made.  You  will  now  understand  why 
it  is  that  I  would  forego  the  unspeakable 
pleasure  of  meeting  with  those  who  are  so 
dear  to  me.' 

'  Your  proposition  is  so  startling  that  T 
must  not  decide  too  hastily.  I  must  consid- 
er, after  you  have  opened  your  budget  of 
rebel  information,  what  course  will  be  advis- 
able. I  admit  that  your  plan  is  plausible  ; 
and  that  your  skill  in  strategy  might  puzzle 
older  heads  than  mine  ;  but  it  mr.y  yet  o|>- 
pear  that  it  will  not  further  advance  our 
cause  to  allow  you  to  run  the  risk  of  plac- 
ing yourself  again  within  the  jaws  of  the 
rebel  monster.' 

Our  conversation  was  here  interrupted  by 
the  entrance  of  a  pnir  of  contraband  ."-er- 
vants  witli  the  luncheon  which  the  general 
ha'l  ordered,  and  after  spreading  it  upon  the 
tabic  t'.iey  retired. 

'I  have  decided,'  said  the  general,  as 
soon  as  we  were  again  alone,  '  that  you  shall 
be  my  table  guest  while  in  camp ;  and  your 
quarters  at  night  shall  be  with  some  discreet 
woman,  whom  I  will  select  to  look  after 
your  safety  and  comfort.  Will  this  arrangi'- 
ment  be  agreeable  ? ' 

'  Perfectly,'  I  replied,  and  thanked  him 
for  his  kindness. 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


Ill 


He  then  bade  me  1)6  seated  at  the  table, 
and  parta'ce  of  the  inviting  refreshments 
which  had  bsen  prepared.  As  I  had  eaten 
nothing  since  early  in  the  morning,  and  then 
fiparingly,  of  course  I  did  not  hesitate  to 
comply  with  his  request.  The  cold  chicken, 
sandwiches,  biscuit,  and  a  delicious  cup  of 
coffee,  partaken  of  freely,  soon  satisfied  my 
somewhat  voracious  appetite.  In  this  gas- 
tronomic exercise  I  think  the  general  will 
bear  testimony  that  I  did  full  justice  to  the 
edibles,  and  fully  vied  with  my  host,  who  is 
considered  a  good  trencher  man. 

The  servants  were  again  summoned,  and 
without  making  any  observation,  or  casting 
any  curious  glances  at  my  humble  self, 
cleared  the  table,  and  bore  away  the  frag- 
ments, dishes,  &c.  This  I  regarded  as  an 
evidence  of  the  discipline  exercised  at  the 
head-quarters  of  the  commanding  general. 

*  I  must  now  learn  the  business  in  hand 
for  the  afternoon,'  said  he,  as  he  rung  a 
small  bell  before  him. 

An  orderly  appeared. 

'  Ascertain  of  my  chief-of-staff  if  there  is 
any  business  requiring  my  attention  for  the 
next  hour,'  he  ordered. 

The  orderly  soon  returned,  and  said  there 
were  two  corps  generals,  a  brigadier,  and  a 
Burgeon-geueral,  who  solicited  brief  inter- 
views. 

I  was  politely  requested  to  retire  into  a 
side  compartment  of  the  marquee,  until  he 
could  give  audience  to  the  gentlemen  in 
waiting. 

'  Unless  their  business  is  pressing  and  im- 
portant, a  few  minutes  will  suffice  to  des- 
patch them  ;  for  I  am  almost  impatient  to 
learn  the  information  you  possess,'  he  added, 
as  he  showed  me  into  a  small  room  of  his 
tent,  separated  from  the  central  or  reception 
apartment  by  a  couple  of  American  flags, 
which  served  as  hanging  curtains. 

Here  I  had  an  opportunity  to  re-arrange 
niy  toilet,  more  for  the  purpose  of  making 
my  disguise  more  perfect,  than  to  add  to  my 
comeliness ;  for  it  was  possible  that  I  might 


come  in  contact  with  persons  that  I  knew, 
whose  keen  and  curious  eyes  might  pene- 
trate the  garb  wliich  I  wore. 

Loss  than  hale  an  hour  elapBsd,  when  I 
was  summoned  to  the  audience  room.  The 
last  of  his  visitors  bad  just  gone;  and  it 
was  evident  that  whatever  communication 
he  had  made,  the  general  was  deeply  affect- 
ed thereby. 

'  I  am  sorely  troubled,  Virginia,'  said  he, 
taking  my  hand,  and  leading  m3  to  a  camp- 
chair.  '  Be  seated.  The  surgeon  general 
has  just  been  here,  and  brought  me  the  sad 

intelligence  that  Colonel  B ,  a  personal 

friend  of  mine, — and  a  braver  officer  never 
drew  sword, — has  received  a  severe  wound 
in  the  le";  from  the  fragment  of  a  shell,  and 

Doctor is  of  the  opinion  that  the  limb 

must  be  amputated.  But  the  doctor  is 
skillful,  and  it  anything  can  be  done  for  my 
unfortunate  friend,  he  will  do  it.  By-the-by 
Dr. is  a  friend  of  yours,  I  believe?' 

'  I  have  great  reason,  at  least,  to  be  a 
friend  of  his  ;  but  I  imagine  that  he  cannot 
be  a  very  devoted  friend  of  anybody,'  I 
replied. 

'  He  certainly  is  very  reserved  in  his  con- 
versation and  manners.  But  I  like  him, 
nevertheless ;  for  he  is  not  only  the  most 
skillful  surgeon  in  the  army,  but  he  js  so 
kind  and  devoted  to  all  his  patients,  that 
one  cannot  help  almost  loving  the  man.' 

'  I  owe  him  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude,  cer- 
tainly, for  his  care  of  Harry  Robeson,  after 
the  battle  of  Shiloh,  and  hope  to  repay  him 
someday,'  I  remarked. 

'  I  have  done  all  that  lies  in  my  power  for 
him ;  and  he  to-day  holds  the  highest  medi- 
cal appointment  that  is  in  my  province  to 
bestow,'  said  the  general. 

I  was  pleased  to  hear  my  host  speak  thus 
of  the  doctor's  promotion,  as  he  could  only 
have  gained  it  by  meritoriotfs  conduct  and 
skill ;  for  he,  in  fact,  was  troubled  with  too 
much  diffidence  to  strive  to  push  himself 
forward  in  the  great  press  for  honor  and 
emolument.     Sometimes  I  had  thought  that 


112 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


he  was  actually  stupid,  or  that  he  was  fre- 
quently afflicted  witli  that  peculiar  disease 
known  as  '  brown  study.'  Indeed,  he  some- 
times did  not  appear  to  observe  anybody  or 
anything,  unless  it  was  a  ghastly  sabre  cut,  a 
bullet  hole  in  the  body,  a  mangled  limb,  or 
a  cracked  skull ;  then  no  man's  skill  or  kind- 
ness ever  shone  more  brightly.  I  think  he 
said  more  on  his  first  visit  to  Harry  Robeson 
than  he  said  during  his  score  or  more  or  visits 
afterwards. 

'He  is  a  man  of  very  few  words,'  I  re- 
marked to  the  general,  who  seemed  himself 
to  be  greatly  embarrassed  about  something. 
'  Very — very,  was  the  reply,  and  he  gazed 
intently  upon  a  cigar-holder  filled  with  fra- 
grant Havanas,  I  have  no  doubt ;  and  even 
went  so  fixr  as  to  take  one  out  and  hold  it  to 
his  nose  with  as  much  satisfaction  as  if  it 
possessed  the  concentrated  odors  of  all  the 
spices  of  Arabia. 

'  I  almost  wonder,  general,  that  you  do 
not  smoke,'  I  ventured  to  remark,  sugges- 
tively. '  It  seemed  that  you  always  had  a 
cigar  in  your  mouth  at  Shiloh.' 

'  What !  smoke  in  the  presence  of  a  lady?' 
he  ejaculated.  '  No  ;  I  am  not  really  so  ill- 
bred  as  that.  Begin  your  story,  and  I  may 
forget  all  about  the  weed.' 

'  But  I  shall  insist  upon  your  smoking,' 
said  I,  taking  a  match,  igniting  it,  and  hand- 
ing it  to  him.  '  The  smoke  of  a  good  cigar 
is  highly  agreeable  to  me.' 

'  Not  offensive — not  in  the  slightest  de- 
gree ? ' 

'  Just  the  reverse,  general,  I  do  assure,, 
you.' 

'  Then  I  will  smoke  ;  and  when  you  think 
there's  quite  enough. of  the  fumes  of  tobacco 
in  the  tent,  remind  me,  if  you  please.  Now 
proceed  with  your  narrative,  and  let  me  have 
all  the  important  particulars  from  the  time 
of  your  leaving  camp  until  you  most  unex- 
pcctly  appeared  here  to-day.' 

I  began  my  narrative  as  I  began  it  to  you, 
and  related  it  substantially  as  I  have  related 
it  to  you,  omitting  only  some  long  colloquial 


passages  which  I  have  given  to  add  a  bit  of 
humor  to  my  narrative,  and  some  scenes 
which  could  possess  but  little  interest  to  him, 
because  wholly  outside  of  the  purposes  of 
my  mission. 

For  an  hour  and  a  half,  at  least,  I  con- 
tinued to  describe  that  which  you  already 
know,  without  a  single  inteiTuption  from  my 
attentive  listener ;  and  the  only  manifesta- 
tions that  he  made  when  I  related  anything 
of  unusual  or  startling  interest,  consisted  in 
either  sending  out  from  his  mouth  more  fre- 
quent volumes  of  smoke,  or  blowing  the 
curls  and  rings  that  he  constantly  made, 
farther  upward.  When  the  narrative  seemed 
to  flag,  or  lack  vitality,  he  would  gently 
brush  off  the  accumulation  of  white  ashes 
from  the  burninnr  weed,  or  gaze  at  it,  as  he 
occasionally  held  it,  delicately  and  gracefully, 
between  his  thumb  and  dexter  finger. 

I  did  not  keep  any  account  of  the  many 
cigars  he  consumed  into  smoke  and  ashea 
during  my  narration,  but  I  observed  quite  a 
diminution  of  the  number  from  the  cigar- 
case  when  I  had  concluded. 

'  So  you  perceive,  general,  said  I,  '  that  I 
have  not  been  without  adventure  during  my 
sojourn  in  Secessia.' 

'  I  should  judge  not,'  he  replied.  *  Why, 
it's  a  romance  from  beginning  to  end  ;  and 
if  I  had  read  what  I  have  heard,  I  should 
say  that  Baron  Munchausen  had  turned  up 
again.' 

'  Call  it  romance,  or  what  you  will,  gen- 
eral, it  is  not  fiction,'  I  replied. 

'  Oh,  think  not  that  I  am  so  incredulous 
as  not  to  believe  the  truth  of  what  you've 
uttered  ;  for  no  person  could  have  invented 
such  a  story.' 

'  And  now  to  convince  you,  general,  that 
I  have  not  been  idle,  read  the  papers  that  I 
have  placed  in  your  hands,  and  examine  the 
drawings  that  accompany  them.' 

This  he  proceeded  to  do,  and  with  my  as- 
sistance in  giving  explanations,  and  assisting 
him  to  read  the  ciphers,  he  soon  mastered 
the  documents. 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


113 


'  These  papers  contain  information  of  the 
utmost  importance,'  said  he,  after  a  thorough 
perusal  and  examination.  '  Their  vahie  can- 
not be  over-estimated.  You  have  done  for 
tlie  country  a  great,  a  very  great  service. 
To-night  I  must  call  a  council  of  my  gener- 
als. They  will  be  astonished  to  find  me  in 
possession  of  information  that  they  have  all 
supposed  was  unattainable.' 

'But  will  they  not  also  be  curious  to 
know  how  it  came  into  your  possession,'  I 
suggested. 

*  Have  no  apprehensions  on  that  point. 
Tf  U.  S.  Gr.  determines  not  to  gratify  them 
tlijy  know  him  too  well  to  attempt  to  get 
8t  his  secret.  They  must  be  satisfied  of  the 
fact  that  the  information  I  am  in  possession 
of  will  hasten  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  by  sixty 
days  at  least.  Such  service  shall  be  well 
rewarded. 

'  If  my  erratic  efforts  have  proved  so  val- 
uable, I  am  amply  repaid  in  the  glorious 
satisfaction  I  shall  feel  in  having  done  my 
part  in  assisting  to  bring  this  fratricidal  war 
to  an  end.' 

'  Few  there  are  who  hazard  their  lives  for 
so  small  a  recompense.  The  meanest  sub- 
altern in  the  army  is  better  paid  than  that.' 
Our  interview  was  here  brought  to  a  close 
by  another  demand  for  the  great  commander, 
contained  in  a  note  which  an  orderly  brought 
in  and  placed  in  his  hands,  which,  after  pe- 
rusing, he  consulted  his  watch,  and  said  : 

'  It  is  now  half-past  four ;  we  dine  at  five  ; 
I  will  be  back  at  that  time.  Meanwhile, 
those  few  books,  autographs,  etc.,  upon  the 
bide  table  may  serve  to  interest  you.' 

He  lighted  a  fresh  cigar,  gazing  in  the 
meantime  upon  me  with  a  curious  but  com- 
placent expression,  and  then  retired. 

I  examined  the  titles  of  the  books,  looked 
over  the  autographs  of  generals  and  admi- 
rals, brigadiers  and  commodores,  colonels 
and  captains,  and  a  few  distinguished  civil- 
ians, and  a  group,  consisting  of  a  lady  ma- 
tron, with  two  or  three  children,  which,  I 


doubted  not,  were  a  part,  or  the  whole,  of 
the  general's  family. 

But  the  pictures  which  most  interested  me 
bore  the  striking  likeness  of  yourself,  Harry 
Robeson,  and  our  good  surgeon.  Then,  to 
my  no  little  surprise,  there  was  a  very  gowl 
photograph  of  myself,  one  which  had  been 
taken  at  least  three  years  before,  but  cer- 
tainly bore  little  resemblance  to  the  person 
who  looked  at  it,  in  her  new  character  of 
'  Stella  Clarke,  the  confederate  spy.' 

It  puzzled  me  not  a  little  to  think  how  it 
was  possible  that  this  picture  should  have 
come  into  the  possession  of  the  general;; 
for  the  half  dozen  that  had  been  taken  from 
this  particular  negative  I  had  given  to  my- 
dear  friends  at  home,  not  even  reserving  one- 
for  myself.  However,  it  was  in  suoh  dii^- 
tinguished  company  I  did  not  care  to  dis- 
turb it,  and  dismissed  the  thought  from  my, 
mind. 

Hearmg  now  the  strains  of  martial  music 
from  without,  I  could  not  repress  a  curiosity 
to  see  what  the  occasion  was.  An  aperture 
in  the  canvas  served  me,  and  by  standing 
in  a  chair  I  had  an  uninterrupted  view  of  a 
large,  though  rough  plain.  Standing  withia 
twenty  paces  of  the  tent,  were  a  group  erf" 
officers,  consisting  of  the  general  and  his 
staff,  and  one  or  two  corps  or  division  com- 
manders. 

At  a  distance  of  perhaps  a  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  I  beheld  the  van  of  a  column  of 
troops  approaching, — the  band  playing  that 
dear  old  national  air,  the  Star  Spangled 
Banner.  It  was  a  joy  to  hear  its  familiar, 
inspiriting  strains  again,  after  having  my 
ears  so  long  agonized  with  '  Dixie  *  and 
other  insipid  airs,  which  were  used  to  ani- 
mate the  souls  of  the  Southern  chivalry. 

Onward  came  the  column,  advancing 
steadily  and  majestically, — cavalry,  artilleiy 
and  infantry,— with  tattered  ensigns  waving 
proudly  atove  their  heads,  with  clarions 
sounding  and  drums  beating,  as  if  it  were 
already  a  contiuering  army  approaching  to 
do  homage  to  their  chief. 


114 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


It  was,  as  I  learned  afterwards,  but  a 
single  division  of  the  grand  army  changing 
their  position,  and  making  it  convenient  to 
pass  the  genend's  headquarters  en  route,  and 
give  him  the  accustomed  salute. 

From  my  narrow  aperture  I  glanced  at 
each  ofilcer  and  each  platoon  as  they  wheel- 
ed in  fiont  of  the  chief  and  his  staif;  but 
that  which  attracted  my  most  earnest  atten- 
tion was  the  regiment  whicli  led  the  infantry. 

jMounteJ  on  a  magnificent  war-hor.se  was 
yourself,  looldng  as  proudly  and  dignifiedly 
as  the  steed  which  bore  you ;  and  without 
flattering  you  in  the  least,  I  must  say  that 
you  looked  the  very  personification  of  a  fight- 
ing colonel ;  and  when  you  saluted  the  gen- 
eral and  iiis  staff,  you  did  it  so  gracefully 
that  I  felt  a  pride  rising  within  me  that  I 
had  the  honor  of  your  acquaintance  and 
your  confidence. 

And  it  was  not  by  any  means  the  least  of 
my  gratification  to  observe,  riding  directly 
in  the  rear  of  you,  my  dear  little  friend, 
Harry  Robeson,  loooking  the  very  picture 
of  health." 

"  Yes,  little  Harry  is  now  my  confidential 
clerk,"  remarked  I,  at  this  point  in  her  nar- 
rative. "I  found  that  his  acquirements 
were  such  as  warranted  me  in  giving  him  a 
much  better  position  than  that  of  drammer- 
boy." 

"  You  did  right,  colonel,  for  Harry  is  as" 
well-bred  and  well-educated  a  boy  as  I  hap- 
pen to  know,  and  I  thank  you  for  promotinf^ 
him." 

"I  have  been  thinking,  Virginia,"  said 
I,  ' '  what  would  have  been  my  feelings  had 
I  known  that  your  eyes  were  peering  upon 
that  highly  flattered  individual,  ray  humble 
self,  when  we  passed  in  review?  " 

"  I  suppose  you  would  have  thought  that 
woman's  curiosity  knew  no  bounds." 

' '  I  should  have  felt  like  committing  a  very 
great  breach  of  military  discipline  in  the  face 
and  eyes  of  the  general  himself.  My  first 
impulse  would  have  been  to  leave  the  col- 
umn, dismount,  and  rush  into  his  marquee 


without  so  much  as  saying,  '  By  your  leave 
sir.'  " 

"And  for  that,  colonel,  you  would  deserve 
to  be  cashiered,  at  least.  And  what  wo>ild 
have  been  your  second  impulse?  " 

"  My  second?  Why,  before  I  could  have 
had  a  second  my  iudgment  would  have  come 
to  the  rescue,  and  saved  me  from  makinc  a 
first-cla.ss  donkey  of  myself" 

"  How  fortunate,  then,,  that  my  presence 
there  was  unknown." 

"As  matters  have  transpired  it  is  so; 
but,  Virginia,  anxious  as  I  am  to  hear  the 
results  of  this  last  adventure,  I  think  it  had 
best  be  postponed  until  to-morrow  evening, 
for  I  perceive  that  your  voice  is  gettin"' 
husky,  and  you  really  look  fatigued." 

"  As  you  will,  colonel.  To-morrow  even- 
ing I  shall,  without  doubt,  conclude  my  ex- 
perience both  as  a  federal  and  confederate 
spy." 

CHAPTER    XXI. 

AN    INTERESTING    INTERVIEW MY  SLEEPING 

QUARTERS THE     SUSPICIOUS     ATTENDANT 

A    STARTLING  DISCOVERY A     GEXUINB 

REBEL    SPY. 

On  the  subsequent  evening,  our  small 
but  interesting  military  family  re-a.sserabled, 
when  Virginia  Graham,  "  La  A'ivandiere" — 
alias  Marietta  Marland,  alias  George  Tem- 
ple, alias  Stella  Clarke, — resumed  her  nar- 
rative as  follows  : 

"  During  the  passing  in  review  of  the  in- 
fantry brigade  of  the  division  to  which  I 
have  alluded,  before  the  general  and  his  staff, 
my  eyes  fell  upon  the  redoubtable  Major 
Jenefer;  and,  as  if  he  were  aware  that 
there  were  at  least  one  pair  of  female 
eyes  fixed  upon  him,  he  straightened  up  his 
awkward  figure,  and  attempted  to  sit  grace- 
fully upon  the  tall,  raw-boned  rozinante 
which  bore  him,  and  which  did  not  seem  in 
any  degree  proud  of  his  obese  burden.  His 
eyes  seemed  bent  directly  on  the  aperture  of 
the  marquee,  through  which  I  was  looking. 


p 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


115 


It  was  the  first  pair  of  human  eyes  that  I 
thought  had  caught  sight  of  mine,  and  I  in- 
stinctively drew  back,  as  if  in  that  gaze  he 
had  recognized  one  he  had  before  seen. 

Whether  real  or  imaginary,  I  could  not 
repress  for  some  minutes  an  unpleasant  sen- 
sation which  crept  over  me.  I  had  conceiv- 
ed a  perfect  abhorrence  of  this  man  j  for  his 
countenance  indicated  coarseness,  heartless- 
ness,  even  brutality ;  and  the  idea  that  such 
a  character  possessed  more  than  ordinary 
j)0wers  of  penetration,  really  pained  me. 
However,  I  soon  recovered  from  the  shock ; 
and  for  a  time  thought  no  more  of  the  major 
and  the  incident. 

The  rear  of  the  column  at  length  passed 
by,  and  the  general  rejoined  me,  in  company 
wiih  his  chief  of  staif,  to  whom  he  introduced 
me  as  'Miss  Clarke,'  and  spoke  causally  of 
my  having  come  from  within  the  enemy's 
lines  that  morning.  This  officer — a  very 
gentlemanly  appearing  and  thoughtful  man, 
- — addressed  to  me  a  few  common-place  re- 
marks, and  then,  excusing  himself,  sat  down 
to  read  several  documents  which  the  general 
placed  in  his  hands. 

Meanwhile  servants  appeared,  and  soon 
spread  upon  the  table  a  more  substantial 
meal  than  that  which  the  general  and  my- 
self had  partaken  of  in  the  earlier  part  of  the 
day.  Plates  were  laid  for  three,  and  we 
were  soon  seated  at  the  table,  all  discussing 
the  edibles  and  bibibles,  interspersed  with  a 
discussion  by  the  two  officers,  in  regard  to 
the  general  appearance  and  probable  effect- 
iveness of  the  division  that  had  passed  in 
review  ;  and  it  gave  me  no  little  pleasure 
to  hear  an  emphatically  expressed  opinion  of 
the  chief  of  staff,  coincided  in  by  the  gene- 
ral, that  Col.  Manley's  regiment  deserved 
higher  commendation  than  any  other  in  the 
whole  division. 

The  general  gazed  at  me  for  a  moment, 
and  then  said,  enquiringly, — 

'I  presume.  Miss  Clarke,  that  you  did 
not  take  much  interest  in  gazing  upon  a 
body  of  Union  soldiers  1  ' 


'  I  assure  you,  general,  that  I  did  not  let 
them  pass  unobserved,'  I  replied;  at  the 
same  time,  casting  a  glance  at  the  aperture 
in  the  canvas,  made  expressly  for  a  lookout. 

'  Then  we  would  like  your  oppinion  as  to 
which  regiment  deserves  the  greatest  need 
of  praise  ?  '  querried  the  general,  quizzically. 

'  The  first  regiment  of  the  infantry  brig- 
ade,' I  replied  without  hesitation. 

'  That  was  acting  Col.  Manley's,  if  I  mis- 
take not,'  said  the  staff-officer.  '  So  you 
perceive,  general,  that  we  cannot  be  mistaken 
in  our  judgments  when  so  readily  confirmed 
by  a  lady.' 

. '  But  how  far  one  from  across  the  lines 
can  judge  of  Yankee  soldiery  impartially  may 
be  questionable,'  said  the  general,  fixing  his 
eyes  upon  me  with  a  peculiar  expression. 
'  I  ask  "pardon  for  making  the  suggestion, 
Miss  Clarke,  but  it  does  not  appear  to  me 
that  it  is  not  quite  natural  that  you  should 
have  shaken  off  all  prejudice.' 

'  But,  general,  I  made  no  comparison  be- 
tween federal  and  confederate  troops,'  said  I, 
spiritedly.     I  was  not  called  upon  to  do  that. ' 

'  True,  true  ;  but  the  idea  was  uppermost 
in  your  mind,  was  it  not  ?'  said  he  good  na- 
turedly  and  half-jocularly. 

'  If  it  were,  I  assure  you  that  the  confed- 
erate troops,  in  regard  to  discipline  and  cour- 
age, are  not  to  be  despised,'  was  my  reply, 
as  if  he  desired  me  to  commit  myself,  as  in- 
clining slightly  to  the  rebel  cause,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  hoodwinking  his  staff-officer  ;  and  if 
that  was  his  purpose,  I  was  resolved  to  grat- 
ify him. 

'  Far  be  it  from  me  to  underrate  their 
prowess  or  fighting  qualities,'  he  resumed; 
'  nevertheless,  we  mean  that  they  shall  have 
no  more  important  victories  to  exult  over. 
Our  troops  now  may  be  regarded  as  veterans. 
We  have  felt  the  enemy's  strong  points,  and 
know  how  to  deal  with  them.  In  war,  as  in 
law,  there  is  nothing  like  appreciating  the 
full  strength  of  our  adversaries.' 

'  And  yet  you  seem  less  sanguine  of  suc- 
cess  than   the  confederates,'    I  remarked. 


116 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


'  They  will  not  even  admit  that  there  is  a 
possibility  of  failure.  You  may  succeed  in 
the  reduction  of  Vicksburg,  and  hem  them 
in  much  more  closely  than  they  are  now ; 
and  yet  they  declare  and  feel  that  it  will 
only  make  them  less  easy  of  conquest,  for 
it  will  be  the  means  of  concentrating  their 
widely  scattered  forces,  and  enable  them  to 
strike  more  heavy  blows  than  ever.  And 
to  my  mind  there  is  some  sense  in  this,  for 
there  will  be  fewer  points  for  them  to  defend. 

'And  fewer  for  us  to  assail,'  replied  the 
general ;  '  besides,  by  losing  their  great 
outward  strongholds,  they  lose  their  means, 
in  a  great  degree,  of  supplying  themselves 
with  subsistence  and  munitions  of  war. ' 

'  Then  they  will  fight  all  the  more  desper- 
ately to  capture  them  from  you,'  I  suggested. 

'  When  an  army  is  reduced  to  that  condi- 
tion that  it  has  to  fight  desperately,  woe  be 
to  it !  Desperation  only  precedes  inevitable 
destruction.  And  I  am  more  than  half  in- 
clined to  believe  that  is  just  the  condition 
of  Pemberton's  forces  inside  the  defences  of 
yonder  doomed  city.' 

'  You  would  not  think  so  if  you  could 
hear  their  generals  talk,  and  could  witness 
the  activity  of  the  troops.' 

'  I  have  no  doubt  we  keep  them  in  a  very 
lively  condition  most  of  the  time  ;  they  won't 
languish  from  ennityee  -while  this  siege  lasts,' 
said  the  general,  facetiously. 

'  If  you  allude  to  the  shells  which  are  so 
frequently  thrown  into  the  city,  general,  and 
could  witness  the  panic  they  produce  among 
women  and  children,  you  would  not  consider 
it  a  matter  for  joking.' 

'  I  imagine  they  produce  a  greater  panic 
among  those  who  bear  arms.  But  I  per- 
ceive. Miss  Clarke,  that  you  entertain  too 
much  regard  and  sympathy  for  our  enemies 
to  dwell  among  us.  I  am  apprehensive  that 
your  loyalty  is  greater  for  the  "  bars"  than 
for  the  "  stripes."  In  that  case  it  will  be 
my  duty  to  send  you  back  to  rebeldom.' 

'  I  shall  feel  it  to  be  no  disgrace,'  I  re- 


plied, assuming  an  indignation  which  I  of 
course  did  not  feel. 

'  What  say  you,  colonel  ?  Is  it  the  part  of 
prudence  to  permit  such  an  intelligent  spec- 
imen of  dimity,  fresh  from  our  foes,  to  go 
at  large  within  our  lines  ?  How  do  we  know 
that  she  was  not  sent  here  to  gather  infor- 
mation to  carry  back  whenever  an  opportu- 
nity may  present  itself? ' 

'  We  certainly  cannot  be  too  cautious,' 
replied  the  staff-oflScer,  who  had  been  in- 
tently listening  to  our  conversation,  at  the 
.same  time  keeping  his  great  black  eyes  ti.xcd 
upon  me  as  if  I  were  a  rebel  wonder. 

'  Send  me  back !  send  me  back  ! '  said  I, 
with  as  angry  a  look  as  I  thought  best  to 
assume.  '  It  will  be  far  more  agreeable  f<>r 
me  to  dwell  with  those  who  are  not  so  cau- 
tious as  to  suspect  a  helpless  woman  of  being 
a  spy.* 

'  Be  not  angry,'  said  the  general ;  '  I 
meant  no  offence ;  you  must  consider  that  a 
commanding  officer's  duties  are  inexorable, 
whether  they  are  in  accordance  with  his 
wishes  or  not.  My  purpose  is  to  show  you 
every  civility  consistent  with  safety,  and  if 
after  to-morrow  I  decide  to  permit  you  to 
go  north,  or  to  send  you  back  whence  you 
came,  I  trust  that  you  will  regard  it  as  tlie 
act  of  the  general  and  not  the  man.' 

I  made  no  reply  to  this,  but  sat  apparent- 
ly in  sullen  silence  for  a  few  moments,  whon 
the  general  and  the  staff-officer  arose  and 
left  the  tent  together. 

The  latter  gave  no  further  expression  of 
opinion  than  that  which  I  have  mentioned  ; 
but  I  could  judge  from  his  looks  that  he 
thought  the  general  had  reasons  for  suspi- 
cion, and  that  he  undoubtedly  entertained 
the  same  opinion. 

They  had  not  been  absent  more  than  fif- 
teen minutes,  when  the  general  returned, 
followed  by  a  middle-aged  woman,  who  was 
introduced  to  me  as  the  person  to  whom  I 
must  look  for  sleeping  quarters  during  my 
stay  in  camp.  I  was  immediately  conducted 
by  her  to  a  small  dwelling-house,  within   a 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND   ARMY. 


117 


hundred  yards  of  headquarters,  and  which 
was  exclusively  occupied  by  those  of  ray  own 
sex — women  who  did  washing,  mending,  and 
other  necessary  work  for  the  officers  of  the 
commanding  general  and  his  staff. 

On  entering  the  house  I  was  introduced 
to  a  coarse-featured  woman,  somewhat  young- 
er than  the  one  who  conducted  me  thither, 
and  who  appeared  to  be  '  second  in  command  * 
of  this  laundry  and  tailoring  establishment, 
— for  be  it  known  that  there  were  as  many 
grades  of  rank  in  this  establishment  as  in  a 
fully  officered  military  company,  and  each 
officer  was  as  exacting  in  commanding  respect 
from  an  infferior  as  in  any  military  organiza- 
tion. 

This  coarse-featured  woman,  I  noticed, 
had  a  coarse-toned  voice,  and  her  manners 
seemed  decidedly  vulgar  when  compared 
with  her  superior  in  the  laundry  and  patch- 
ing business. 

This  woman,  I  thought,  eyed  me  very  cu- 
riously after  I  was  introduced  as  a  lady 
from  Vicksburg,  who  desired  to  go  north, 
and  who  would  remain  in  camp  for  a  day  or 
two.  And  during  some  thirty  minutes  after 
I  had  seated  myself,  I  did  not  observe  that 
she  had  once  withdrawn  her  gaze  from  me. 

Finally,  I  asked  the  privilege  of  retiring, 
when  this  woman  volunteered  to  show  me  to 
the  apartment — the  best  in  the  house — 
which  had  been  assigned  to  me.  It  was  a 
small  room,  neat  and  clean,  with  a  comfort- 
able looking  cot  occupj'ing  perhaps  one  third 
of  it. 

'  This  is  the  best  room  in  this  yeer  house, 
an'  it's  kep  only  for  sich  ladies  as  is  sent 
hyar  from  headquarters,'  said  she,  as  she 
very  familiarly  seated  herself  in  one  of  the 
two  chairs  in  the  room. 

'  I  feel  thankful  that  I  am  to  be  so  well 
lodged,'  I  replied  ;  '  for  I  have  much  need 
of  immediate  rest  and  sleep.' 

'  La,  me,  you  needn't  mind  me,'  said  she, 
understanding  my  hint ;  '  I  wanter  hev  a 
little  chat  with  you  'bout  Vicksburg,  wile 
yore  undressin'.     I  lived  thar  once  myself, 


— hev  a  brother  thar  now — don't  know  as 
he's  a  rebel  or  not.  Do  you  know  him  ? — 
his  name's  Calhoun  Peckerson.' 

'  I  never  heard  the  name  before  in  my  life,' 
I  replied  emphatically,  with  the  hope  of  dis- 
couraging her  inquiries. 

'  Then  you  couldn't  hev  alus  lived  thar, 
I  kinder  reckon.' 

*No.' 

'  I  hyar  that  the  people  over  thar  ar  in  a 
desperate  strait.  An'  I  reckon  they'll  fare 
worser  'fore  they  fare  better.  Dyin'  at  a 
rapid  rate,  I  hyar,  from  starvation;  now 
you've  had  an  op'tunity  ter  know  ?  '  she  said 
with  an  enquiring  glance. 

'  I  have  not  had  that  opportunity,'  said  I, 
emphasizing  each  word. 

'  Beg  pardon,  young  lady.  Reckon  yer 
don't  wanter  let  on  'bout  rebel  'fairs.  But, 
la !  you  needn't  mind  me ;  I  never  tell 
nothin  that's  told  me.  I  can  be  mum's  'n 
iron  post.  I  ony  wanter  talk  while  yer  un- 
dressin' ;  then  I'll  leave  yer  ter  the  embrace 
of  Morphiss  an'  pleasant  dreams.' 

But  I  had  no  idea  of  disrobing  myself  in 
her  presence,  and  took  no  heed  of  her  last 
suggestion. 

'  I  ax  pardon,  young  lady ;  but  I  do  so 
wanter  hyar  some  news  from  the  city.  Oh, 
dear  !  heigho  !  I  wished  this  blamed  war  was 
over.  I  shouldn't  keer  much  which  side 
gets  whipped,  if  peace  only'll  come  agin.' 

'  It  appears  that  you  haven't  much  patriot- 
ic ardor,'  said  I,  scarcely  knowing  to  what 
her  persistent  talk  tended. 

•  Not  enough  to  buy  a  box  of  yaller  snuff. ' 

*  And  do  you  dare  to  talk  so  among  the 
federals  ? ' 

'  Beckon  not.  I've  said  enough  ter  you 
to  be  'rested  fer  treason ;  but  I  know  you 
come  from  'tother  side,  and  wouldn't  repeat 
a  word  I  said  to  yer  for  the  world  ' 

'  You  are  not  sure  of  that,  are  you  ?  ' 

'  La,  yes ;  you  hevn't  ben  over  'tother 
side  o'  the  lines  without  feelin'  a  lettle  sym- 
pathy for  'em  ;  now  hev  yer '? ' 

'  Well,  I  confess  to  a  certain  degree  of 


1 


118 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


compassion  for  the  rebels,'  I  replied,  think- 
ing that  if  I  had  discovered  a  traitorous 
woman  she  should  be  exposed.  '  But  as  I 
am  now  with  their  enemies,  I  suppose  I 
must  either  remain  silent  or  talk  against  the 
confederates.' 

'I  reckon  that  ar's  my  case  tea  dot,'  said 
she,  a.ssuredly  ;  '  and  I  hope  never  to  go  to 
to  Vicksburg  if  I  can't  go  thar  without  fol- 
lerin'  in  the  wake  of  this  yeer  northern 
army ;  for  I'm  a  reel  Southern  woman,  an' 
hev  alus  ben  waited  'pon  by  niggers,  an'  now 
I  hev  to  wait  on  these  yeer  yankees,  who 
strut  about  with  their  blue  coats  an'  brass 
buttons  an'  gold  shoulder-straps,  as  though 
they'd  alus  worn  'em.  An'  thar's  that  tobac- 
cer-smokin'  gin'ral,  who  sets  under  that  tree 
yender,  from  mornin'  to  night,  talkin'  with 
oflScers,  givin'  orders,  and  smokin'  all  the 
time.  Now,  a  real  general,  a  gentleman 
general,  should  be  more  dignified,  and  stand 
on  his  rank,  an'  not  set  thar  lookin'  more  like 
a  hostler  or  woodchopper  than  the  chief  of 
this  yeer  great  army.  But  la  I  you  won't  let 
on  any  o'  this  yeer  conversation  ;  for  if  you 
do,  like's  not  it'll  hang  us  both. 

'  If  you  are  so  disgusted  with  these  Yan- 
kees, why  don't  you  gain  permission  to  be 
sent  across  the  lines  ?'  I  questioned. 

'  Ah  !  my  young  lady,  you've  got  me 
thar.  That's  what  I  can't  explain  to  no 
human  being  about  hyar — not  even  to  you. 
I  wish  I  could — then  you  wouldn't,  perhaps, 
be  so  shy  on  me.  I  aint  a  dangerous  cretur ; 
and  I  know  what's  right  as  easy  as  I  know 
what's  wrong.' 

'  How  do  you  know  but  there  is  some 
eaves-dropper'  listening  to  us  now  ? — There 
appear  to  be  cracks  and  crannies,  key-holes 
and  rat-holes  in  this  house,  which  mio;ht 
convey  our  words  to  some  distance.' 

'  La  me  !  thar's  no  danger.  Except  the 
old  woman, — an'  she's  partly  hard  o'  hear- 
ing'— there  aint  another  in  the  house  who 
cares  a  fig  about  either  side,'  was  her  reply. 

Concluding  that  I  had  heard  quite  enough 
from  this  coarse,  repulsive,  and  probably  trai- 


torous woman,  I  gave  her  another  broad  hint 
that  I  de.siied  to  retire  to  bed,  and  that  she 
would  gratify  me  by  leaving  the  room  with- 
out further  uiging. 

'  La  me  !  I'll  go  if  yer  'sist  on't,'  slie 
replied,  '  thougli  I  had  hopes  that  we  jnight 
hev  sympathy  enough  atween  us  to  be  willin' 
to  pour  out  to  each  other  the  feelin's  of  our 
bosoms,  seciu'  as  both  of  us  hev  lived  in 
Vicksburg.' 

'  I  am  too  much  fatigued  to-niglit  for  con- 
versation, even  if  I  were  disposed  to  confide 
in  a  stranger.  I  must  know  more  of  you 
before  I  can  speak  freely  my  sentiments. 
Perhaps  a  more  favorable  opportunity  may 
offer,  when  you  can  give  me  proofs  tliat  you 
have  not  been  trying  to  deceive  me  in  order 
to  draw  from  me  sentiments  that  might  lead 
to  my  great  injury.' 

'  I  hope  so,'  said  she,  rising ; '  but  neither 
on  us  haint  said  nothin'  to-night  that  one 
could  make  any  thing  of,  hev  we?  At  any 
rate,  we  agree  not  to  say  nothin  ?  ' 

'  I  agree  to  that,'  said  I  construing,  how- 
ever, the  latter  sentence  of  her  speech  liter- 
ally.     '  So  good  night,  madanie.' 

'  Good  night,  my  young  lady.  Sorry  yer 
so  modest  as  to  be  afeered  to  go  to  bed  afore, 
me.  Lord  knows  what  might  happen  if  there 
was  a  man  in  the  case. ' 

With  these  words  she  retreated  through 
the  door  and  closed  it  after  her ;  and  I  took 
the  caution  to  bolt  it  on  the  inside,  and  to 
look  around  to  see  if  there  was  any  other 
ingress  to  the  room  except  by  a  ladder 
through  the  windows;  and  I  took  pains  to 
see  that  these  were  securely  fastened. 

I  confess,  I  cannot  tell  precisely  why, 
that  I  had  a  horrid  suspicion  of  this  woman; 
and  I  determined  if  another  morning  dawn- 
ed upon  me,  to  say  at  least  enough  to  the 
general  to  cause  him  to  be  as  suspicious  as 
I  was  myself. 

Before  I  blew  out  my  light,  previous  to 
lying  down,  I  examined  my  revolver  to  see 
if  it  was  in  perfect  condition  for  any  emer- 
gency, and  placed  it  under  my  pillow.     It 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


119 


was  not  the  first  time  that  I  had  slept  with 
war  material  enough  beneath  my  pillow  to 
cause  the  quietus  of  at  least  six  persons  if 
skillfully  handled. 

My  thoughts  were  too  busy  of  this  strange 
woman  to  drop  to  sleep  very  readily.  Strive 
as  I  would  to  dismiss  her  from  ray  thoughts 
by  attempting  to  concentrate  them  upon 
other  and  more  exciting  topics,  she  would 
quickly  intrude  herself  and  remain  upper- 
most. 

At  length,  however,  I  persuaded  myself 
to  sleep  ;  and  then  I  was  visited  by  visions 
of  a  most  startling  nature.  Thrice  I  awoke 
at  the  denouement  of  some  terrible  scene,  in 
which  this  woman  each  time  was  the  princi- 
pal actor.  And  at  one  of  these  waking  in- 
tervals, my  mind  was  so  excited  that  it  con- 
jured up  her  apparition  before  me  in  such  a 
palpable  form,  that  I  clutched  the  weapon 
of  death  beneath  my  pillow.  And  at  another 
I  imagined  I  heard  her  hateful  step  approach- 
ing the  door  and  then  striving  to  open  it. 

I,  however,  persuaded  myself  into  the 
fullest  belief  that  I  need  entertain  no  appre- 
hension from  her ;  that  neither  she  nor  her 
apparition  were  prowling  about  in  the  dead 
hours  of  that  night. 

Towards  morning  I  fell  into  a  profound 
slumber — so  profound  that  the  morning  gun, 
fired  within  a  few  yards  of  my  window  ;  nor 
the  beating  of  tattoo  ;  nor  the  bustle  incident 
of  turning  out  of  the  soldiers  of  a  whole  di- 
vision ;  nor  the  dress  parades,  with  bands 
playing  served  to  awake  me.  And  when  I 
did  awake,  the  sun  had  been  four  hours  in 
the  heavens. 

I  arose  immediately,  and  after  my  ablu- 
tion and  attiring  myself,  I  felt  quite  refresh- 
ed, and  unbolted  the  door,  to  go  immediate- 
ly to  the  general's  headquarters  for  break- 
fast. 

The  first  person  I  confronted  on  opening 
the  door  of  my  room  was  my  real  visitor  of 
the  evening,  and  my  imaginary  visitor  dur- 
ing the  hours  of  the  night. 

'  Good  morniu','  she  saluted.    '  Yer  must 


hev  been  fiitigued,  fact,  ter  sleep  so  long. 
Why,  I've  been  up  and  drcot  these  three 
hours  or  more.  Hope  yer  slep  well,  and 
bed  pleasant  dreams,  too.  Wot's  yer  hurry  ? 
I'm  goin'  ter  make  up  yer  bed  now,  and 
kind  o'  put  things  ter  rights  hyar.  Don't 
you  feel  in  the  mood  for  a  little  talk  this 
mornin'  ?  ' 

'  Not  until  I  have  had  my  breakfast,'  I 
replied. 

*  La,  yes ;  I  forgot  you  hadn't  hed  any 
breakfast.  Mess  with  the  general,  I  hyar. 
Good  place  over  thar  to  pick  up  scraps  o' 
information.  Lives  well,  too.  I'd  like  to 
mess  there  'casionally,  myself;  but  he's  too 
stuck  up  for  sich  as  me ;  but  I  hev  seen  the 
clay,  and  hope  to  see  it  agin,  when  I  could 
look  down  on  him.  He's  no  great  shucks, 
any  way,  'cordin'  to  my  idee.  Come  back 
ao-in  when  yer've  got  your  rations.  I  do  so 
want  ter  hev  a  reel  good,  downright  chat 
with  yer.  Keep  your  eyes  peeled  when  yer 
over  thar,  and  yer  ears  wide  open,  and  pre- 
haps  ye'll  hear  somethin'  vallyble.  Come 
back,  won't  yer?' 

'  I  cannot  promise,  for  you  must,  know 
that  I  am  but  little  better  than  a  prisoner  in 
this  camp,'  I  replied. 

'  Then  make  good  use  o'  the  fac'lties  na- 
ter  has  gin  you — ' 

I  tarried  to  hear  no  more,  for  while  the- 
woman  talked  I  took  pains  to  scrutinize  her 
more  closely.  A  hitherto  vague  suspicion 
of  one  point  in  regard  to  her  had  become  a 
little  more  definite ;  so  much  so  that  an  ir- 
repressible curiosity  impelled  me  to  find  out ; 
and  the  way  to  do  that  was  through  the 
general. 

On  reaching  the  marquee  I  found  him- 
eno-aced  in  giving  orders  to  several  aid-de- 
camps who  stood  about  him,  and  who,  one. 
by  one,  were  soon  dismissed  from  his  pres- 
ence. 

'  And  now,  Virginia,  my  treasure,  the^ 
army's  treasure,  the  country's  treasure,  we 
can  take  our  breakfast  undisturbed,'  said 
he,  in  uncommonly  fine  spirits,  as  he  rang 


120 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,    TUB 


the  bell  for  servants  to  bring  in  his  morn- 
ing's repast. 

'  You  appear  to  be  in  a  flattering  mood, 
general,  this  morning.' 

*  By  Jove  !  I  have  reasons  to  be.  Every- 
thing is  working  well,  inasmuch  as  we  are 
drawing  the  cordon  more  closely  around  the 
monster's  neck  eveiy  hour — we'll  strangle 
it  soon.  Thanks  for  your  services,  Virginia. 
By-the-by,  how  did  you  rest  among  our 
laundry  people  last  night  ? ' 

'  A  portion  of  the  night  I  rested  well.' 

'  You  were  treated  with  due  consideration 
over  there,  I  trust.' 

'  Passably  well,'  I  replied. 

'  Passably  well  ?  That's  not  according  to 
my  instructions.  Madame is  a  faith- 
ful woman,  and  I  presume  all  her  subordi- 
nates are  equally  so.' 

'  Do  you  know  her  chief  assistant  ?  ' 

'  What,  that  woman  with  coarse  features, 
coarse  voice,  and  rather  a  masculine  look  ?  ' 

'  The  same.' 

•What  of  her?' 

'  My  word  for  it — she's  not  to  be  trusted.' 

*  Indeed  !  and  what  are  your  inferences  ?  ' 
'  That  she  is  a  thorough  rebel.' 

'  And  if  a  rebel,  she  must  be  something 
more,  or  she  would  not  be  an  employee  so 
near  my  quarters.' 

'  To  be  plain,  general,  I  have  strong  sus- 
picions that  she  is  a  rebel  spy  !  ' 

'  By  the  great  shield  of  Mars  !  I'll  have 
her  arrested  and  all  her  effects  seized  within 
an  hour.' 

'  It  will  not  be  needful  for  me  to  appear 
against  her,  I  trust  ? ' 

'  By  no  means.  If  she  is  guilty  it  can 
be  established  without  your  testimony. ' 

'  And  if  innocent  I  should  not  like  to 
sleep  under  the  same  roof  with  her  again ; 
because,  of  course,  she  will  regard  me  as  the 
person  having  informed  against  her.' 

'I  will  see  to  that  matter  personally.' 

The  servants  having  now  appeared  with 
quite  a  sumptuous  breakfast,  smoking  and 
hot,  the  conversation  was  dropped,  and  we 


sat  down  to  di.scuss  that,  which  we  did  in 
a  most  satisfactory  manner,  conversing  in 
the  meantime  on  subjects  quite  irrelevant  to 
that  which  was  uppermost  in  both  our  minds. 
As  soon  as  we  had  satisfied  our  appetites, 
the  servants  removed  the  dishes,  etc.,  and 
likewise  themselves,  in  a  manner  remarkably 
quiet.     The  general  then  .said  : 

'  Fortunately,  I  have  no  pressing  business 
on  hand  this  morning,  and  I  will  at  once 
order  the  arrest  of  this  woman  ;  and  if,  after 
a  preliminary  examination  I  find  that  there 
are  grounds  sufiBcient  for  calling  a  court 
martial,  I'll  do  so  at  once.' 

'I  am  almost  certain,  general,'  I  added, 
'  that  an  examination  of  her  person  alone  will 
disclose  more  than  I  learned,  or  have  only 
a  suspicion  of.' 

Whether  or  not  he  understood  the  full 
significance  of  my  last  remark,  I  could  not 
divine.  At  all  events  he  did  not  ask  for  an 
explanation,  but,  lighting  his  cigar,  he  went 
forth  from  his  tent  with  the  air  of  one  bent 
upon  some  great  purpose. 

He  met  at  the  entrance  his  chief  of  staff, 
and  after  holding  a  brief  conference  with  him 
in  low  tones,  they  both  walked  away. 

For  two  hours  I  was  the  sole  occupant  of 
the  marquee  ;  but  the  time  passed  not  heav- 
ily, for  I  found  a  few  attractive  books,  be- 
sides several  northern  newspapers,  which  I 
employed  the  time  in  reading. 

At  the  expiration  of  this  period,  my  dis- 
tinguished host  returned.  He  had  evidently 
had  some  peculiarly  interesting  business,  for 
he  never  appeared  so  excited  before  in  my 
presence. 

'  I  feel  vexed  with  myself — I  feel  vexed 
with  my  oflScers — I  feel  vexed  with  every- 
body around  me,  —  except  you,  Virginia, 
except  you  ! '  were  the  exclamations  with 
which  he  greeted  me.' 

'  I  trust  nothing  serious  has  happened,' 
said  I,  with  an  enquiring  look. 

'  To  think  that  a  spy  has  been  directly 
in  our  midst  for  several  weeks,  and  nobody 
keen  enough  to  discover  it  but  you  !     Why, 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


121 


I  am  ashamed  of  myself  and  of  my  subor- 
dinates, too.' 

•  Then  the  woman  at  the  laundry  was, 
after  all,  a  spy  ? '  I  questioned. 

'  Not  only  a  spy,  but  a  man  in  the  dis- 
guise of  a  woman  ! — quartered  under  the 
same  roof  with  a  half  dozen  women — and 
stupid  women  they  are  too,  not  to  have  dis- 
covered the  gross  deception  that  was  so  long 
played  upon  them  ?  ' 

'  Then  all  my  suspicions  are  fully  con- 
firmed.' said  I. 

'  Yes,  Virginia,  for  I  remember  of  your 
Baying  that  an  examination  of  her  person, 
would  disclose  more  than  you  had  actually 
learned,  but  were  suspicious  of.  It's  the 
most  remarkable  case  I  ever  had  come  under 
my  observation  !  and  it's  all  the  more  aggra- 
vating to  think  that  this  person  had  won  the 
confidence  of  all  for  her  fidelity  and  loyalty. 
And  there's  no  knowing  how  much  harm 
this  spy  has  done  us,  though  he  swore  most 
stoutly  that  he  had  never  obtained'  an  op- 
portunity to  convey  the  least  intelligence  to 
the  enemy.  However,  whether  true  or  not, 
it's  pretty  certain  he'll  do  us  no  more 
mischief.  A  drum-head  court-martial  to- 
mon-ow,  and  an  execution  next  day,  will 
be  the  grand  finale  of  his  career  ?  ' 

'  So  soon  ?  ' 

*  With  such  characters  we  must  deal  sum- 
marily, or  there  would  be  no  safety  ! ' 

The  remark  gave  me  a  sliudder,  but'it  es- 
caped his  notice ;  and  I  suppose  it  did  not 
for  a  moment  occupy  his  thoughts  that  I  too 
had  played  the  spy  far  more  effectually  than 
the  one  I  had  been  the  means  of  unmasking ; 
that  I  too,  had  placed  my  neck  many  times 
almost  within  the  hangman's  noose  to  aid 
him  in  carrying  out  plans  that  would  assist 
in  saving  the  Union  ;  and  that  before  many 
hours  I  should  again  repeat  the  perilous  ex- 
periment. 

After  a  few  more  remarks  denunciatory  of 
himself  and  those  around  him,  and  compli- 
menting my  own  shrewdness  in  most  lauda- 
toiy  terms,   he   lighted   his   cigar,   c; 


ca^er] 


down  into  his  usual  serenity,  and  conversed 
only  of  irrelevant  and  more  agreeable  things. 

The  only  incident  of  that  day  worth  men- 
tioning, was  the  passing  by  the  marquee,  of 
a  strong  detachment  of  soldiers,  escorting  a 
rebel  to  prison ! 

One  glance  at  his  face  was  sufficient;  I 
recognized  in  him,  the  hard,  coarse-featured 
woman  who  had  conversed  with  me  in  my 
room  on  the  night  previous. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

MY  DEPARTURE   FOR   TICKSBDRG AN    UNEX- 
PECTED    DETENTION MAJOR     JENEFEr's 

GREAT    EXPLOIT,  AND  WHAT  CAME  OF  IT. 

My  mission  in  the  camp  of  the  nation's 
brave  defenders  was  now  completely  fulfill- 
ed, and  I  signified  to  the  general,  my  host, 
that  it  was  unnecessary  to  lose  more  time  ; 
and  that  I  was  prepared  to  be  sent  to  the  en- 
emy's lines  at  his  earliest  convenience. 

This  was  the  morning  following  the  impor- 
tant discovery  I  had  made  ;  and  I  felt  that 
to  remain  there  another  day,  I  might  be  sub- 
jected to  hear  too  much  of  the  execution  of  a 
spy  that  was  undoubtedly  predetermined,  or, 
perchance,  be  witness  of  the  disagreeable 
scene. 

Breakfast  being  over,  the  general  approach- 
ed me,  and  taking  both  my  hands  within  hisj 
while  a  tear  shone  in  his  eyes,  he  said  : 

*  God  bless  and  protect  you,  Virginia  ! ' 

He  said  no  more,  but  took  his  cap  and  has- 
tily left  the  tent.  Understanding  his  pur- 
pose, I  immediately  prepared  for  departure. 
In  a  few  moments  the  chief  of  staff",  with  a 
sorrowful  countenance,  came  in  and  informed 
me  that  it  was  his  painful  duty  to  communi- 
cate to  me  the  order  of  his  commander  that 
I  must  prepare  to  be  sent  back  to  Vicksburg 
forthwith. 

'  I  have  anticipated  his  wishes,  colonel, 
and  am  now  ready  ;  but  I  trust  you  will  not 
consider  the  duty  you  are  charged  with  a 
painful  one.' 

'  It  is  always  painful  to  thwart  the  wishes 
of  a  lady,'  said  he. 


122 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


'  Do  not,  T  beg  of  you,  feel  grieved  on 
my  account,  for  it  matters  not  greatly  whether 
I  return  to  my  friends  in  Vicksburg,  or  pro- 
ceed North  to  join  my  friends  there, — for  I 
have  friends  among  the  federals  as  well  as 
rebels.' 

'  Then  the  general  must  have  intimated 
to  you  his  decision  ?  * 

'  Not  a  word,  I  assure  you.  He  hasn't 
the  courage  to  say  an  unpleasant  thing  to  a 
lady  ;  he  delegates  that  duty  to  his  subor- 
dinates,' said  I,  in  a  satirical  vein,  which  I 
think  the  officer  did  not  much  reUsh,  for  he 
replied  by  saying  : 

'  I  am  myself"  inclined  to  the  belief  that 
his  courage  would  sooner  fail  him  before  one 
woman  than  before  a  whole  regiment  of  rebel 
soldiers. ' 

'  I  wonder  if  he  really  thinks  that  I  am  a 
rebel  spy  ? '  I  asked,  changing  the  subject. 

'  If  he  thought  that  he  would  have  put 
you  under  arrest,  and  subjected  you  to  much 
great  rigor  than  you  appear  to  have  suflFered 
during  your  brief  sojourn  here.' 

'  Oh,  I  have  not  suffered  in  the  slightest ; 
he  has  treated  me  as  a  lady  should  be  treated, 
I  have  in  no  manner  been  inconvenienced, 
except  in  not  being  allowed  to  continue  my 
journey  as  I  purposed.  And  that  does  not 
trouble  me  half  so  much  as  to  be  regarded 
by  him  as  at  least  a  dangerous  character.' 

'  You  must  forgive  a  general  officer  if  he 
does  appear  severe  or  over-cautious  in  his 
acts.  It  is  a  merit  rather  than  a  demerit 
in  a  military  commander.' 

At  this  point  in  the  conversation,  a  vehi- 
cle rolled  up  towards  the  marquee  and  stop- 
ped ;  and  the  next  moment  the  same  officer 
who  had  escorted  me  hither  appeared  at  the 
entrance. 

'  Lieutenant  Kilham,  Miss  Clarke,'  said 
the  staff-officer,  introducing  the  young  of- 
ficer. 

'  We  have  met  before,'  I  remarked. 

'  Yes ;  you  are  the  same  lady  that  I  had 
the  honor  to  escort  hither,'  he  replied,  with 
an  obsequious  salute. 


'  And  now  are  to  have  the  trouble  of  re- 
turning her  whence  you  found  her.' 

'  Here  are  your  instructions,  lieutenant,' 
said  the  statf-offioer,  placing  in  the  hands  of 
Kilham  a  written  document,  which  he  forth- 
with opened  and  read.  It  was  evidently 
somewhat  of  a  surprise  to  him  to  learn  that 
instead  of  my  being  permitted  to  proceed  on 
ray  proposed  tour  North,  I  was  to  bo  sent, 
by  a  flag  of  truce,  back  to  the  inside  lines  of 
rebeldom. 

'  All  ready,  yer  honor,'  shouted  the 
driver. 

I  bade  the  chief  of  staff  an  off-hand  fare- 
well ;  was  politely  assisted  into  the  vehicle 
by  my  escort,  who  after  taking  a  seat  beside 
me,  told  the  Irish  Jehu  of  a  remarkably 
slow  coach  to  drive  on. 

'  I  regret  your  misfortune.  Miss  Clarkp  ; 
but  stranger  things  than  this  happen  every 
day,'  remarked  the  lieutenant.  '  In  times 
of  war  it  is  best  never  to  be  surprised  at  any- 
thing, however  eccentric  it  may  appear.* 

'  I  have  learned  the  lesson,'  I  repUed, 
'  and  have  no  regrets  to  make.' 

'  Indeed  !  I  had  supposed  that  your  disap- 
pointment must  be  very  great  on  learning 
the  decision  of  our  general.' 

'  It  is  perhaps  better  that  I  should  return,' 
I  replied,  carelessly. 

'  But  the  danger  of  residing  in  a  belea- 
guered city.  It  is  hardly  a  fitting  place  for 
a  lady.' 

'  I  apprehend  that  there  is  but  little  safe- 
ty anywhere  in  this  vicinity.' 

These  words  had  hardly  escaped  me,  when 
I  beheld  coming  towards  us  three  mounted 
officers. 

We  were  moving  at  a  snail-like  pace  over 
the  deep-rutted  road,  which  gave  an  oppor- 
tunity for  the  officers  to  scrutinize  us  closely, 
while  we  were  passing  each  other.  Who  or 
what  they  were  I  had  no  curiosity  to  know, 
and  turned  my  head  to  look  in  another  di- 
rection, when  I  heard  a  voice,  in  a  tone  of 
command,  give  the  order — 

'  Halt ! ' 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


123 


Our  vehicle  came  to  a  stand-still,  when 
the  detestable  Major  Jenefer  reined  up  be- 
side the  vehicle. 

'Who  have  you  there,  lieutenant'?'  en- 
quired that  officer. 

'  A  lady,  major,  who  is  to  be  sent  to  the 
rebel  lines,  under  a  flag  of  truce.' 

'  By  whose  order  ?  ' 

'  By  order  of  the  commanding  general.' 

'It  cannot  be.' 

'Read  my  written  instructions,'  said  the 
lieutenant,  handing  him  the  document  he  had 
received  from  the  staft-officer. 

'  The  general  is  deceived  ! '  exclaimed 
Jenefer,  handing  back  the  paper,  after  glan- 
cing his  eye  over  it. 

'  That  is  a  matter  for  me  not  to  inquire 
into,'  said  my  escort.  '  I  have  my  orders, 
and  I  intend  to  execute  them.' 

'  And  I  have  the  best  of  reasons  for  be- 
lieving that  this  female  is  a  rebel  spy.  In- 
deed, I  know  that  she  has  been  in  our  camp 
before,  and  bore  a  name  other  than  that  men- 
tioned in  your  instructions.' 

'  That  is  no  business  of  mine,'  replied 
Lieutenant  Kilham. 

'  It  is  the  business  of  every  loyal  officer 
to  arrest  any  person  suspected  of  being  a 
spy  ;  and  I  shall  take  the  responsibility,  at 
least,  of  ordering  you  back  to  the  general's 
headquarters,  there  to  await  until  I  can  have 
a  brief  interview  with  the  general.' 

'  And  I  shall  take  the  responsibility  of 
obeying  his  superior  orders  in  preference 
to  yours,'  smartly  replied  the  lieutenant. 
'  Drive  on,  Patrick.' 

'  Yes,  yer  honor,'  said  Jehu,  as  he  at- 
tempted to  put  his  hard-worked  steed  in 
motion. 

He  was,  however,  frustrated  in  the  attempt, 
for  one  of  the  other  officers  immediately  seized 
the  horse  by  the  head  and  held  him  fast. 

'  Lieutenant,  you  will  please  consider  your- 
self under  arrest,'  said  the  redoubtable  ma- 
jor.    '  Your  sword.' 

'  I  know  not  by  what  authority  you  thus 
prevent  me  from  obeying  instructions  supe- 


rior to  any  that  you  can  give ; '  said  Kilham, 
'  and  in  giving  up  my  sword,  I  do  it  under 
protest,  as  all  of  you  will  bear  witness.' 

He  unsheathed  his  weapon  and  handed  it 
to  the  major. 

'  Driver,  you  will  now  return  whence  you 
came.  We  will  be  your  escort ;  and  re- 
member, that  it  is  I,  Major  Jenefer,  who 
takes  this  responsibility ;  and  as  for  the 
lady,'  he  continued,  glancing  significantly  at 
me,  '  she  well  understands  why  I  intercept 
her  and  her  escort  in  the  very  act  of  escap- 
ing by  the  general's  sanction. ' 

'  You  will  undoubtedly  be  well  repaid  for 
your  trouble,  said  I,  sarcastically.  '  Who 
knows  that  this  act  may  not  gain  you  an 
"eagle,"  an  insignia  you  can  never  hope  to 
win  by  deeds  on  the  field  of  battle  ?  ' 

'  The  general  knows  how  to  reward  faith- 
ful service,'  replied  Jenefer,  pompously,  as 
if  he  already  felt  the  perch  of  the  eagle  on 
his  shoulder  straps. 

'  And  he  knows  how  to  degrade  and  pun- 
ish those  who  intermeddle  with  his  afikirs,' 
I  added. 

'  He  will  thank  me  for  undeceiving  him  ; 
and  he  will  reward  me  for  placing  in  his 
hands  one  whom  I  believe  to  be  a  dangerous 
character. ' 

Jehu  had  now,  by  considerable  tugging  at 
the  reins,  and  making  what  a  sailor  would 
call  a  number  of  '  tacks,'  got  his  horse's 
head  turned  in  the  opposite  direction,  and 
the  whole  cortege  made  a  retrogade  move- 
ment, the  escort  led  proudly  by  the  gallant 
son  of  Mars,  who  imagined  that  he  had  per- 
formed a  feat  which  must  redound  to  his 
honor  and  secure  his  promotion. 

It  was  evident  that  Jenefer  had  really  dis- 
covered 'La  Vivandiere,'  notwithstanding 
the  guise  I  had  put  on  before  leaving  Vicks- 
burg ;  and  because  I  was  now  to  be  sent 
into  rebeldom,  he  inferred  that  I  was  a  hona- 
jide  rebel  spy,  and  that  I  had  imposed  upon 
the  general  now  as  I  had  done  before  in  the 
characters  of  the  drummer-boy  and  La  Viv- 
andiere. 


124 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


Li  reflecting  upon  the  matter  it  did  not 
much  disturb  me ;  indeed  I  was  really  im- 
patient to  see  the  denouement  of  the  little 
play  he  was  enacting,  which  would  soon 
occur  at  headq'.iarters. 

At  length  the  cortege  drew  up  before  the 
marquee  of  the  commander,  who  happened 
at  the  time  to  be  quietly  sitting,  apparently 
in  a  thouo-htful  mood,  and  smoking  the  incv- 
itable  cigar,  beside  the  trunk  of  a  palmetto 
tree  near  the  entrance  to  his  quarters. 

'  What  is  the  meaning  of  all  this  ? '  he 
sharply  inquired,  as  Major  Jenefer,  after 
dismounting,  approached  and  saluted  him. 

*  I  have  intercepted  a  dangerous  charac- 
ter, general,  who  was  about  to  be  sent  into 
the  rebel  lines  under  instructions  from  you. 

'Well.' 

'  In  doing  so  I  was  obliged  to  put  under 
arrest  Lieutenant  Kilham.' 
'Well,  go  on.' 

*  As  I  said,  this  woman  has  been  in  our 
camp  before,  wearing  the  disguises  of  a 
drummer-boy  and  also  that  of  a  Vivandiere.' 

'  Well,  is  that  all ! ' 

'  Believing  her  to  be  a  spy  of  the  enemy, 
I  thought  it  would  meet  your  approval  if  I 
caused  her  return,  that  you  might  be  unde- 
ceived in  regard  to  her  character,  &c.' 

'  What  proofs  have  you  ?  ' 

'None — other  than  what  I  have  stated.' 

'  And  you  intercepted  the  carriage,  arrest- 
ed an  officer  bearing  my  instructions,  sus- 
pected the  lady  of  being  a  spy  without  any 
proof,  and  caused  the  whole  cortege  to  be 
returned  whence  they  came  ?  ' 

'  I  hope  the  facts  justified  me  in  so  doing,' 
replied  Jenefer,  beginning  to  look  wildly, 
and  acting  nervously. 

'  What  facts  ?  ' 

'  Those  I  have  told  you.' 

'  But  you  have  not  substantiated  any  one 
of  them.' 

'  I  can  take  my  oath  that  the  female  named 
as  Miss  Clarke  in  your  instructions,  is  none 
other  than ' 

'  Bah  ■? '    interrupted  the  general.      '  No 


oaths  from  your  mouth  can  make  you  other 
than  a  cowardly,  sneaking  intermcddler ; 
and  for  the  high-handed  act  of  intercepting 
an  officer  bearing  orders  from  me,  I  order 
you  to  be  placed  under  arrest,  and  to  be 
suspended  from  rank  until  I  can  give  this 
conduct  of  yours,  bo  unbecoming  a  UMlitury 
officer,  further  consideration. — Meanwhile,  I 
advise  you  to  keep  that  reckless,  unruly 
tongue  of  yours  quiet  regarding  this  matter, 
or  any  other  that  relates  to  the  business  of 
your  superiors ! ' 

The  chief-of-staff  received  the  major's 
sword,  and  a  file  of  soldiers  was  detailed  to 
escort  the  crest-fallen  major  to  the  guard- 
house, there  to  reflect  on  the  unexpected  re- 
sults which  had  so  quickly  followed  his 
great  achievement  of  that  morning. 

'  I  trust  that  this  officious  fool  has  not 
given  you  any  great  inconvenience,'  said  the 
general,  stepping  up  to  the  vehicle  and  ad- 
dressing me  kindly, 

'  He  has  caused  me  a  little  delay  only, ' 
I  replied ;  '  and  a  longer  ride  over  these 
rough  roads  than  I  could  have  wished.  But 
the  result  of  the  incident  has  well  repaid 
me  for  all  that;  for  a  more  impertinent,  in- 
solent fellow  never  wore  the  insignia  of  an 
officer. ' 

'  Well,  he  shall  give  you  no  more  trouble  ! 
and  I  trust  you  will  reach  your  friends  with- 
out further  molestation,'  said  the  general, 
saluting  me,  and  turning  to  resume  his 
thoughtful  attitude  and  cigar  beneath  the 
shade  of  the  palmetto. 

Meanwhile  Kilham  had  recovered  his 
sword,  and  Jehu  again  started  ofi"  at  quite 
a  brisk  pace. 

In  the  course  of  two  hours  we  had  reached 
the  outer  pickets.  Lieut.  Kilham  alighted 
and  produced  the  order  from  the  command- 
ing general,  that  the  lady  he  accompanied 
should  be  sent  back  to  the  confederate  lines 
in  the  same  manner  that  she  came. 

Be/ore  alighting  myself,  the  flag  of  truce 
was  unfolded  and  displayed  on  the  federal 
side,   which  was  soon  responded  to  by  the 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND   ARMY. 


125 


white  flag  of  the  enemy.  The  meeting  of 
the  representatives  of  each  signal  was  had 
eL|ui-distant  between  the  two  picket  lines,  as 
nearly  as  could  be  determined. 

While  these  necessary  formalities  were 
going  on,  two  horsemen  hastily  rode  up,  and 
one  of  them  inquired  of  a  soldier,  as  nearly 
as  I  could  understand,  for  the  two  wounded 
soldiers  who  had  been  shot  while  doing  picket 
duty.  I  thought  the  voice  of  the  inquirer 
sounded  familiar,  and  on  a  second  look  I 
met  the  eyes  of  Dr. ,  our  much  esteem- 
ed surgeon, — the  surgeon-general  of  whom 
I  had  heard  such  high  commendations  at 
headquarters. 

Whether  he  recognized  me  or  not,  I  am 
unable  to  say;  but  there  was  that  in  his 
countenance  which  clearly  betrayed  to  me 
that  I  affected  him  in  some  degree.  I  was 
either  very' like  some  one  he  had  seen  before, 
or  he  had  penetrated  my  disguise.  He  fixed 
bis  gaze  upon  the  earth,  and  there  stood  for 
at  least  two  minutes,  as  if  his  mind  were 
puzzled  by  some  abstruse  question  that  he 
could  not  unravel.  He  tui-ned  away  without 
venturing  to  scrutinize  my  features  again,  as 
if  he  had  dismissed  the  matter  from  his 
thoughts,  and  he  and  his  assistant  followed 
a  guide,  as  I  supposed,  towards  the  place 
where  the  wounded  men  lay. 

The  conference  between  the  federal  and 
rebel  officers  was  now  concluded,  and  the 
report  soon  came  that  I  had  permission  to 
'enter  the  lines  of  the  latter. 

The  carriage  then  conveyed  mc  to  the  neu- 
tral ground,  where  my  luggage  was  taken 
from  the  vehicle  and  put  in  charge  of  the 
picket  officer,  who  said  he  would  be  respon- 
sible for  its  safety,  and  that  it  would  be  sent 
immediately  after  me. 

I  was  forthwith  escorted  to  the  rear  by 
another  officer,  who,  at  my  request,  and  after 
some  delay,  succeeded  in  procuring  a  con- 
veyance for  me  to  the  city,  where,  he  kindly 
informed  me,  I  would  be  received  by  the 
proper  authorities  for  examination  before  I 
could  be  allowed  to  be  entirely  at  liberty. 


After  a  ride  of  two  or  tliree  miles,  the 
vehicle  stopped  before  a  public  building 
within  the  city,  where  I  was  assisted  to  alight 
by  an  officer  in  a  police  uniform,  who  es- 
corted me  up  the  steps  of  the  edifice,  where 
I  beheld  the  ominous  sign — 

'provost  biaksiial's  office.' 

In  another  moment  I  stood  before  that 
much  dreaded  officer,  the  provost-marshal, 
whom  I  had  met  several  times  before,  and 
who  had  made  such  diligent  but  ineffectual 
efforts  to  secure  the  '  Female  Spy  '  of  the 
federals. 

He  gazed  at  me  for  a  few  moments  with- 
out speaking,  and  then  asked  for  my  papers. 

I  showed  them  to  him,  and  after  a  critical 
examination  he  pronounced  them  '  all  right,' 
but  in  such  a  hesitating  tone  that  I  feared 
there  was  a  terrible  suspicion  lui'kiug  in  his 
brain,  almost  ready  to  assume  a  more  dan- 
gerous form. 

To  dissipate  it,  I  resolved  upon  a  stroke 
of  policy  that  should  settle  all  his  doubts. 

'  It  is  my  desire,  sir,  to  see,  as  soon  as 

possible,  Gren.  P .  I  have  an  important 

message  to  bear  to  him.' 

'  A  written  message  ?  ' 

'  A  verbal  one.' 

'  His  headquarters  is  but  a  short  distance. 
A  vehicle  you  will  hardly  consider  necessary. 
If  you  will  permit  me  I  will  escort  you 
thither,  so  that  you  can  obtain  an  audience 
at  once.  My  office  enables  me  to  intrude 
upon  him  even  in  his  private  hours.  If  you 
should  go  without  me  you  might  not  obtain 
a  ready  admittance.' 

'  You  are  very  kind,  sir,'  said  I,  '  and  I 
will  accept  your  offer,  providing  it  will  not 
be  too  much  trouble.  Thougli  I  could  pos- 
sibly find  my  way  with  your  direction.' 

'  It  irf  best  that  you  should  have  ray  com- 
pany,' he  replied,  signifying  that  he  was 
ready  to  go  at  once. 

I  knew  the  way  as  well  as  he  did,  and 
could  have  gained  admittance  to  the  great 
military  officer  of  the  city  ss  easily  as  he 
could.     But   I   made  no  objections  to  his 


126 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


going ;  indeed,  I  thought  it  might  be  the 
means  of  entirely  obliterating  any  lingering 
suspicion  that  ho  might  entertain  in  regard 
to  me,  had  I  proceeded  alone. 

The  distance  was  so  short  that  three  min- 
utes' brisk  walk  brought  us  to  the  citadel 
headquarters.  After  passing  the  gate  sen- 
tinel, he  proceeded  in  another  way  from  that 
generally  taken  by  visitors,  and,  indeed,  by 
members  of  the  general's  own  staff.  It  was 
a  secret  mode  of  ingress,  uninterrupted  by 
sentinels,  and  so  private  that  no  one  could 
well  be  observed  going  in  or  going  forth. 

I  took  note  of  this  passage  as  we  passed 
along,  for  the  purpose  of  availing  myself  of 
it  should  it  ever  become  necessary. 

We  soon  reached  the  general's  apartment, 
and  I  was  ushered  into  his  presence  by  my 
dread  escort.  I  was  received  with  great 
cordiality  as  '  Miss  Clarke,'  which  seemed 
to  satisfy  the  vigilant  officer,  and  he  quickly 
retired. 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

INTERVIEW    WITH     THE     COMMANDING     GEN- 
ERAL  A     SERIES      OF      COINCIDENCES 

VICKSBURG    UNDERGROUND. 

I  HAD  fully  prepared  myself  for  the  role 
that  I  was  to  enact  before  the  commanding 
general  of  Vicksburg,  and  its  defences  (said 
Virginia  resuming  her  narrative,  after  a  brief 
pause) .  I  had  determined  not  to  speak  false- 
ly, nor  tergiversate  more  than  was  absolutely 
essential  for  my  safety.  I  felt  keenly  the 
peculiarly  discreditable  position  in  which  I 
had  been  placed,  not,  as  you  are  aware,  from 
my  own  choice  ;  and  my  justification  for  my 
conduct  I  could  only  find  in  the  conscious- 
ness of  having  thus  far  served  my  country  to 
to  tlie  best  of  my  ability. 

'  I  rejoice  at  your  safe  return,'  said  Gener- 
al P ,  after  having  greeted  me  warmly. 

'  Ever  since  you  left  the  city  I  have  had  no 
little  anxiety  on  your  account.  Be  seated — 
you  look  fatigued.' 

'  ]3y  your  leave,  I  will  first  divest  myself 


of  these  feminine  habiliments,  and  assume  my 
own  proper  character  once  more.'  said  I. 

'  Certainly.  I  shall  feel  more  at  ease 
when  you  appear  in  your  own  character — 
I  always  was  embarrassed  in  woman's  socie- 
ty. You  will  find  your  garments  just  as  you 
left  them,  in  the  ante-room,'  he  replied.  '  No 
one  has  been  in  there  beside  myself.  iMake 
all  haste  possible,  for  I  am  impatient  to  learn 
the  particulars  of  your  adventure.' 

'  I  assure  you,  general,  it  has  not  been 
entirely  successful,  as  you  shall  soon  learn.' 

With  these  words  I  entered  the  little  room, 
and  once  more  unsexed  myself,  by  substitu- 
ting my  uniform  of  grey  for  the  more  natu- 
ral and  agreeable  dress  of  3Iiss  Stella  Clarke 
When  I  had  finished  and  looked  in  the  glass, 
I  found  to  my  chagrin  that  the  moustache  1 
had  removed  was  very  much  wanting  to  give 
me  that  masculine  look  which  seemed  quit*, 
necessary.  It  would  not,  of  course,  be  pru- 
dent for  me  to  apply  the  false  one,  for  that 
would  betray  to  my  superior  officer  that  I 
had  not  shaven  it  off  at  the  time  Itransform.- 
ed  myself  into  a  woman.  The  old  patch, 
however,  that  I  had  first  worn  over  the. eye 
that  I  had  '  lost  at  Bull  llun,'  and  the  boy- 
ish carelessness  with  which  I  let  my  locks 
fall  around  my  ears  and  over  my  forehead, 
supplied  in  part  the  deficiency. 

I  was  again  '  George  Temple,'  and  in 
that  character  once  more  appeared  before  the 
confederate  general. 

He  looked  at  me  for  a  moment,  and  then 
said  : 

'  ^Vhy,  lieutenant,  you  look  almost  like  a 
lady  in  disguise.  Oh  !  I  see — ^your  mous- 
tache is  missing.  Well,  that  will  grow  again, 
with  careful  nursing.' 

'I  shall  not  wait  for  that,'  said  I,  'a 
moustache  must  be  supplied  at  the  nearest 
barber's,  which  will  answer  until  nature  is 
generous  enough  to  give  me  one.' 

'  I  suspect  many  avail  themselves  of  this 
source  for  their  hirsute  appendages,'  he  ad- 
ded, facetiously,  as  he  drew  up  a  chair  di- 
rectly opposite  his  own   and  bade  me  be 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


127 


seated.    '  Now,  lieutenant,  your  story.  You 
have  been  into  the  enemy's  lines  ?  ' 

'  Yes,  general.' 

'  And  have  seen  the  Yankee  army,  and 
the  great  Ulysses  himself,  perhaps  ?  ' 

'  I  certainly  have  ;  for  I  was  a  guest  at 
his  table  during  the  time  I  was  in  the  Yan- 
kee camp.' 

'  Then  you  were  really  in  the  hon's  den  ? 
That  is  something,  surely  ;  and  therefore  I 
shall  not  yet  consider  your  adventure  quite 
a  failure,  after  all.  What  manner  of  man 
is  this  great  Yankee  commander  ? ' 

'  Of  medium  stature  ;  square  built ;  with 
not  very  prepossessing  appearance  ;  but  he 
has  an  eye  like  a  hawk,  and  his  compressed 
lips  indicate  that  he  is  as  stubborn  as  a  mule ; 
in  fact,  his  whole  physiognomy  shows  such 
energy,  perseverance,  determination,  will  ! 
that  you  might  whip  him  once  a  day  for 
twenty-nine  days,  and  he  will  then  prepare 
himself  for  a  fight  on  the  thirtieth.  So  Ipng 
as  he  has  anything  to  fight  with  he  will  not 
consider  himself  conquered. ' 

'  What  is  the  character  of  his  staff?  ' 

'Fighting  men,  all.' 

'  Is  it  true,  as  has  been  stated,  that  most 
of  his  staff  officers  are  Indians  ?  ' 

'  I  assure  you,  general,  that  it  is  not  true  ; 
he  has  one  educated  and  accomplished  In- 
dian chief  on  his  staff,  who  would  do  credit 
to  any  military  body ;  the  rest  of  his  mili- 
tary family  are  Yankees,  all.' 

'  How  happened  it  that  you  were  so  fa- 
vored as  to  be  a  guest  at  his  headquarters  ? ' 

'  He  detained  me  there  while  making  up 
his  mind  whether  to  allow  me  to  proceed  on 
my  proposed  journey  North,  or  send  me 
back  whence  I  came.' 

'  You  were  then  a  prisoner  ?  ' 

'  Not  a  very  close  one  ;  but  he  took  very 
good  care  that  I  should  not  make  any  obser- 
vations beyond  the  immediate  vicinity  of 
his  camp.' 

'  And  finally  decided  that  you  were  too 
much  of  a  rebel  to  allow  you  to  go  at  large 


on  his  side  of  the  lines,   and  therefore  sent 
you  back?' 

'  That  appears,  general,  to  be  the  state 
of  the  case.' 

'  Then  you  must  give  me  in  detail  all  the 
incidents  from  the  time  you  passed  our  outer 
pickets  until  you  returned  ;  and  the  nature 
of  the  observations  you  made.' 

In  response  to  this  request,  I  commenced 
to  rehearse  such  portions  of  my  adventures 
as  could  not  in  any  degree  compromise  or 
disparage  the  cause  I  had  at  heart ;  and  of 
all  that  I  told  him  I  did  not  depart  from  the 
truth ;  and  in  all  his  subsequent  inquiries, 
I  gave  him  truthful  answers,  leaving  him  no 
wiser,  and  perhaps  less  wise,  than  he  was 
before.  Nevertheless,  he  seemed  highly  grat- 
ified that  at  least  one  of  his  spies  had  visited 
the  enemy's  camp  and  had  returned  in  safety 

Before  concluding  our  interview,  which 
lasted  until  the  twilight  hour,  he  informed 
me  that  he  would  relieve  me  of  the  arduous 
duty  he  had  assigned  me  ;  but  that  he  would 
retain  me  on  his  staff  for  special  service  only, 
and  that  I  might  consider  my  rank  from  that 
day  to  be  that  of  captain ;  and  that  he  should 
send  ray  appointment  to  Richmond,  with  hon- 
orable mention  of  my  services,  on  the  next 
day. 

I  thanked  him  for  the  honor  thus  conferred 
upon  me,  stating  that  I  had  as  yet  perform- 
ed no  service  warranting  such  an  advance- 
ment. However,  he  thought  otherwise,  and 
it  was  not  for  me  to  refuse  to  be  the  recipient 
of  favors,  when  they  would  most  likely  aid 
me  in  prosecuting  my  real  mission  within  the 
defences  of  Vicksburg. 

This  concluded  our  interview.  Before 
leaving,  however,  I  enquired  of  him  if  he 
had  any  duties  for  me  to  perform  on  that 
day,  when  he  very  graciously  told  me  that 
I  could  be  master  of  my  own  time,  except  to 
report  to  him,  personally,  every  morning  at 
ten  o'clock ;  furthermore,  he  was  kind  enough 
to  say  that  although  a  good  worker,  I  was  a 
better  counsellor  and  strategist ;  and  if  there 
was  anything  to  be  done  requiring  extraord'- 


128 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


nary  abilities,  my  services  would  be  called 
into  requisition. 

I  bowed  my  profound  acknowledgments 
for  the  undue  compliments  he  liad  paid  me, 
and  saluting  him,  I  loft  his  quarters  and 
sallied  forth  into  the  street,  not,  however, 
before  slyly  improving  the  opportunity  in 
passing  through  the  corridor  of  the  building 
to  affix  to  my  upper  lip  the  identical  mous- 
tache that  had  rested  there  before  assuming 
the  role  of  '  Stella  Clarke.' 

In  passkg  along  the  street  leading  from 
headquarters  I  accidentally  met  the  provostr 
marshal.  He  saluted  me  fiimiliarly  and  with 
a  smile,  and  passed  on,  although  an  hour 
and  a  half  previously ,  he  had  escorted  '  Miss 
Stella  Clarke '  to  the  presence  of  his  com- 
mander-in-chief. 

A  few  rods  farther  on  I  turned  abruptly 
into  another  street,  running  at  a  right  angle, 
and  almost  stumbled  into  the  arms  of  Oba- 
diah  Tonilinson !  He  recognized  me  in  a 
moment,  and  at  once  detained  me  and  de- 
clared tliat,  notwithstanding  the  great  wrongs 
which  had  been  done  him  through  my  espe- 
cial agency,  his  heart  was  too  full  of  grati- 
tude to  me  for  the  gr^at  good  I  had  done 
him  to  complain. 

'  Yea,  verily,'  said  he,  thou  hast  been  the 
means  of  perpetuating  the  house  of  Toralin- 
Ron ;  for  had  Potiphar  been  subjected  to 
kneel  down  before  seven  men  of  war,  with 
muskets  in  tlieir  hands,  and  leaden  spheres 
in  the  muzzles  of  the  same,  pointed  at  his 
breast,  and  if  at  the  word  of  command,  they 
had  pulled  the  fatal  triggers,  he  would  have 
been  deprived  of  his  precious  life  ;  and  the 
only  way  of  perpetuating  the  honorable  name 
of  the  Tomlinsons  would  have  perished  for- 
ever. Thou  didst  prevent  this  great  calam- 
ity, and  a  leaden  weight  was  removed  from 
this  heart.  I  can  only  thank  thee,  for  I  have 
neither  money,  goods,  nor  chattels  to  spare  ; 
but  I  can  keep  thy  great  secret  locked  se- 
curely in  this  bosom.  Verily,  thou  needst 
have  no  fear  of  me.' 

Not  desiring  to   prolong  this  interview, 


I  begged  him  to  excuse  me  then,  for  my  time 
was  precious  ;  but  that  I  would  see  and 
speak  with  him  on  a  more  favorable  occasion, 
and  ij^  less  conspicuous  place. 

Again  I  passed  on,  thinking  that  it  was  a 
somewhat  singular  coincidence  that  I  should 
have  met  the  provost  and  the  quaker  in  a 
walk  of  less  than  a  hundred  rods  ;  but  judge 
of  my  great  astonishment  when,  in  less  than 
two  minutes  afterwards,  I  met,  face  to  face. 
Col  Lamar,  walking  arm-in-arm  with  Cap- 
tain Clymer. 

The  former,  on  seeing  me  attracted  the 
other's  attention  towards  me,  and  as  we 
passed,  both  saluted  in  the  most  respectful 
manner,  which  I  returned. 

Whether  to  attribute  this  politeness  to  my 
being  a  representative  of  the  general-in-chiefs 
military  family,  or  to  the  possibility  of  Col. 
Lamar's  being  in  the  secret  of  my  mission 

from  General  P ,  I  am  unable  to  say ; 

but  I  was  assured  of  one  fact :  that  they  in 
no  manner  coupled  me  with  the  soi-disant 
heiress  of  Magnolia  Villa,  or  rather  with  the 
audacious  female  spy,  who  had  dared  to 
come  within  the  sacred  precints  of  the  great 
stronghold  of  rebeldom,  to  expose  the  re- 
sources, the  strength,  and  the  strategic  in- 
tentions of  its  chivalric  defenders. 

The  curious  coincidence  of  my  coming  in 
contact  with  no  less  than  four  different  char- 
acters, being  a  major  part,  of  all  the  people 
I  knew  even  by  name  in  this  strange  city, 
somewhat  disconcerted  me,  and  caused  me 
to  step  more  briskly  through  the  streets  in 
my  route  to  my  private  quarters,  which  as 
soon  as  I  had  reached,  and  was  welcomed 
by  my  strangely  interested  hostess,  I  breathed 
more  freely,  and  recovered  ray  usual  equa- 
nimity. 

I  retired  early  to  my  room,  and  there 
alone  gave  my  mind  up  to  a  review  of  my 
quixotic  adventures  of  the  past  three  days. 
I  could  scarcely  realize  the  various  events  as 
they  presetited  themselves  to  my  mind,  one 
after  another  ;  and  why,  I  asked  myself,  in 
recklessly  placing    myself  in  so  many  haz- 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


129 


arduous  positions  ?  I  had  passed  tbroagli  all 
with  perfect  safety,  and  without  eompromis- 
ing  myself  in  any  degree  or  sense.  It 
seemed  as  if  in  the  utmost  of  ray  perils,  some 
power  was  sure  to  intervene  to  protect  me, 
without  the  least  voluntary  act  on  my  part. 

My  greatest  achievement,  as  I  viewed  it, 
was  the  unmasking  of  a  dangerous  confede- 
rate spy  in  the  federal  camp  ;  and  yet  it  was 
accomplished  without  an  effort.  I  must  con- 
fess that  I  felt  weak  enough  to  drop  a  tear 
of  pity  for  the  poor  unfortunate  whom  I 
had  caused  to  be  given  up  to  an  ignominious 
fate ;  deservedly,  too,  according  to  the  stern, 
inexorable  decrees  of  war  ;  and  if  deserved, 
I,  too,  merited  a  like  fate.  The  only  differ- 
ence between  us — ^he  had  been  detected — I, 
thus  far,  had  escaped.  The  truth  is,  the 
undetected  spy  is  a  hero ;  the  detected  spy 
is  the  basest  of  criminals  !  according  to  the 
military  code  in  times  of  war.  The  start- 
ling difference  between  the  two  was  so  wide, 
that  I  determined  to  be  more  cautious  in  the 
future  than  I  had  in  the  past. 

I  was  awakened  from  a  deep  slumber  on 
the  following  morning,  by  the  terrible  revei'- 
berations  of  artillery  and  the  bursting  of  shells 
within  the  city.  I  quickly  arose,  dressed  my- 
self and  went  forth  into  the  streets,  to  behold 
the  fearful  panic  that  an  early  and  an  unu- 
sually terrific  bombardment  was  producing. 

Men,  women  and  children,  but  partially 
clad,  and  many  more  with  but  their  night 
clothes  wrapped  around  them,  were  hasten- 
ing on  towards  the  several  entrances  to  cav- 
erns which  had  beei^  dug  in  the  earth  for  the 
protection  of  the  inhabitants  whenever  the  en- 
emy seemed  inclined  to  furnish  them  with  a 
hundred  or  two  tons  of  brittle  iron  in  the 
shape  of  shot  and  shell. 

Desiring  myself  to  find  a  secure  place  from 
these  devastatino;  missiles,  and  havina;  an  ir- 
repressible  curiosity  to  witness  the  subterra- 
nean scenes  which  had  been  described  to  me, 
I  fell  in  with  one  of  the  moving  throngs, 
and  soon  found  myself  at  the  portal  of  what 
appeared  to  be  an  extensive  cellar,  and  which 


I  was  told  had  been  used  for  storing  pipes  of 
wines  and  liquors,  crates  of  crockery  and 
other  merchandize,  but  which  now  was  only 
alive  with  human  beings. 

Beyond  the  oellar,  wliich  was  dimly  lighted 
by  lamps  suspended  from  the  ceiling,  there 
were  quite  extensive  excavations  of  earth,  but 
recently  dug,  for  the  purpose  of  affording 
further  protection  to  the  inhabitants  during 
the  perils  of  bombatrdment, 

IMingled  with  the  throng  I  observed  quite 
a  number  wearing  the  grey  uniform  of  the 
army,  and  several  wearing,  besides,  the  in- 
signia of  rank  from  lieutenants  up  to  colo- 
nels ;  so  that  ray  appearance  there  could 
not  be  regarded  as  anything  singular,  for  all 
who  were  off  duty  readily  availed  theraselvfts 
of  the  shelter  without  any  fear  of  incurring 
the  censure  of  cowardice. 

A  feeble  glare  of  light  revealed  the  coun- 
tenances of  the  vai'ious  groups  of  refugees, 
as  I  wandered  about  from  one  section  to  the 
other.  Many  told  of  anxious  souls  and 
bleeding  hearts ;  of  disease,  famine,  fear  and 
despair.  Many  expressed  doubt,  anger  and 
revenge.  Many  gazed  with  a  vacant  look 
or  savage  stare.  Others  looked  bold  and 
defiant,  as  if  the  work  of  devastation  without 
had  no  terrors  for  them  ;  and  there  were  S'till 
others,  (but  they  were  comparatively  few) 
who  assumed  a  cheerful  visage,  as  if  the 
appalling  scenes  they  had  hidden  from  view 
would  soon  emancipate  them  from  the  reign 
of  terror  that  they  could  not  escape  from. 

I  sympathized  with  all,  but  especially  with 
those  last,  for  I  felt  that  their  hearts  beat  ia 
unison  with  mine  as  to  the  hoped-for  result. 

I  wandered  about,  jostled  here  and  there 
by  rude  men,  and  I  am  sorry  to  say  by  rude 
women  too,  until,  becoming  fatigued,  I  sought 
a  place  where  I  could  rest  my  weary  body 
and  soul ;  for  I  was  pained,  disgusted  and 
sickened  with  what  I  saw. 

Pride  of  birth,  wealth,  education,  high 
position,  were  all  humbled  here.  All  castes 
were  on  a  level  in  this  subterranean  retreat. 
The  beggar  vied  with  the  affluent  aristocrat ; 


130 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


the  courtezan  with  the  fine  lady  ;  the  laborer 
with  the  professional  man  ;  the  ignorant  with 
the  learned ;  the  criminal  with  the  honora- 
ble ;  the  vicious  with  the  virtuous.  All  were 
here  for  one  common  purpose — personal  safe- 
ty ;  and  no  one  was  more  privileged  than 
another  in  availing  himself  of  the  securities 
which  this  underground  shelter  afforded. 

In  the  least  thronged  part  of  this  cavern- 
ous dwelling,  and  in  the  rear  of  a  group  of 
well-behaved  people  of  both  sexes,  were 
seated  upon  some  straw  matting  a  gentleman 
of  perhaps  thirty  years  of  age,  in  a  military 
undress  uniform,  and  a  lady  of  some  ten 
years  younger.  The  dim  lights  of  the  ex- 
tensive cavern  did  not  enable  me  to  scruti- 
nize their  features  as  I  passed  and  repassed 
them.  They  were  conversing  with  some 
earnestness,  though  in  suppressed  tones ;  but 
a  few  words  caught  my  ear  which  at  once 
interested  me  and  excited  my  curiosity  to 
hear  more.  I  therefore  passed  and  repassed 
them  again — a  matter  that  they  probably 
thought  not  strange ;  for  others,  in  their 
restless,  uneasy  wanderings,  were  doing  the 
same  thing. 

That  this  couple  were  not  lovers  was  ap- 
parent from  the  formal  and  altogether  too 
respectful  manner  in  which  the  gentleman 
addressed  the  lady,  and  also  from  the  entire 
absence  of  coyness  on  her  part,  and  the 
easy,  unhesitating  manner  in  which  she  ap- 
peared to  reply  to  him.  That  they  were  not 
man  and  wife  was  evident  from  the  fact  that 
he  seemed  too  dignified  in  her  presence,  and 
too  deferential  towards  her.  For  the  same 
reason  I  judged  that  they  were  not  brother 
and  sister. 

The  first  words  that  excited  my  Quriosity 
were  dropped  from  the  lips  of  the  lady. 
They  were  these  : 

'  Tortilinson  and  his  son  are  somewhere 
in  Vicksburg  now. 

It  was  a  sweet  voice — but  it  was  not  the 
voice,  but  the  expression  that  struck  me. 
In  repassing,  I  heard  him  say : 


Nevertheless,  she  is  a  spy,  and  will  be 
dealt  harshly  with  if ' 

The  last  word  my  ear  did  not  catch,  but 
the  words  of  the  sweet  voice,  more  penetrat- 
ing in  reply,  I  distinctly  heard.    They  were  : 

'  I  hope  not.^ 

Walking  on  a  few  yards,  I  retraced  my 
steps,  but  walked  very  slowly.  I  know  it 
was  very  impertinent  and  unladylike,  but  a 
spy,  as  well  as  a  detective,  very  quickly 
falls  into  the  habit  of  listening  when  most 
people  would  be  entirely  indifferent,  and 
gazing  where  others  would  not  feel  any  in- 
terest in  looking.  This  time  I  heard  the 
gentleman  say : 

'  K  leave  of  absence  can  be  obtained,  Ma- 
rietta, I  will  accompany  you  back  to  Jack- 
son ; '  and  then  followed  the  lady's  reply : 

'  It  is  unnecessary,  cousin ;  Cuffee  is  a 
very  safe  escort. ' 

What  a  revelation  a  few  detached  senten- 
ces of  an  animated  conversation  was  here 
made  to  me.  Is  it  a  wonder  that  my  curios- 
ity was  excited  ?  Is  it  a  wonder  that  I  at- 
tempted to  gratify  it  as  far  as  prudence  at 
least  would  permit  ? 

And  now  for  some  time  I  paused  in  my 
walk,  and  leaning  up  against  the  side  of  the 
cavern,  endeavored  to  gaze  on  the  linea- 
ments of  a  countenance  whose  possessor  I 
felt  an  irrepressible,  irresistible  interest  in. 
I  could  see  but  indistinctly — imagination 
supplied  the  rest — she  was  beautiful. 

Again  I  ventured  to  walk  that  interesting 
path — for  all  the  horrors  of  the  place  had 
now  vanished.  This  time  I  must  have  been 
for  a  moment  the  object  of  their  particular 
observation ;  for  as  I  drew  near,  their  con- 
versation ceased  ;  they  turned  up  their  heads 
as  I  passed ;  and  then  my  quick,  sensitive 
ear  heard  the  gentleman  say,  although  he 
spoke  in  a  whisper : 

'  That  officer  wears  the  insignia  of  the 
general-in-chief 's  staff. ' 

He  arose  as  he  spoke,  and  followed  me  a 
few  paces.  I  turned,  and  we  met  face  to 
face.     He  saluted  me. 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


131 


'I  ask  pardon,'  said  he;  'you  are  Cap- 
tain Temple  of  Gen.  P 's staff,  I  believe.' 

'  That  is  my  rank,'  I  replied. 

'  My  name  is  Marland — Major  Marland 
— also  an  attache  of  the  Greneral-in-chief. 
We  have  never  known  each  other,  though  I 
have  frequently  seen  you  at  headquarters. 
I  desire  the  pleasure  of  a  friendship  with  one 
who  stands  so  high  in  the  estimation  of  our 
general,  with  Colonels  Winnett,  Lamar  and 
others.' 

'  I  am  very  proud  to  make  your  acquain- 
tance, major,'  said  I,  taking  his  proffered 
band. 

'  Come,  captain,  share  our  mat,'  said  he, 
drawing  me  towards  the  place  where  he  had 
been  sitting,  or  rather  reclining.  '  I  will 
introduce  you  to  my  cousin — devilish  pretty 
gu-1,  too,'  he  added,  speaking  the  latter  sen- 
tence in  a  whisper,  directly  in  my  ear. 

'  Miss  Marland,  Captain  Temple.  I  am 
proud  to  say,  cousin,  that  he  is  of  the  same 
military  family  as  myself,  although  his  duties 
and  mine  have  so  led  us  apart,  that  we  have 
never  before  met,'  was  the  major's  mode  of 
introduction. 

The  lady  arose,  bowed  and  curtseyed  in 
a  graceful,  modest  manner,  and  then  resum- 
ed her  seat  upon  the  mat. 

I  could  do  no  less  than  accept  the  major's 
kind  offer,  and,  a  la  Turque,  I  imitated  his 
example,  and  we  three  were  soon  engaged 
in  quite  an  animated  conversation. 

'  Miss  Marland,  captain,  is  recently  from 
Jackson,  where  she  resides,'  said  the  major, 
inclined  to  be  social ;  '  and  I  have  just  been 
tellibg  her  that  for  a  lady  to  come  to  the  be- 
leaguered city  just  at  this  time,  is  more  val- 
orous than  discreet.' 

'  It  certainly  is  not  a  very  desirable  abode 
for  any  one  just  at  the  present  time,'  I  re- 
plied. '  I  think  the  inducement  must  have 
been  a  strong  one  that  tempted  you  hither. , 

'  It  was  a  strong  one,'  she  replied. 

'  I'll  tell  you  confidentially,  captain,  with 
my  cousin's  permission,  that  her  visit  here 
has  something  to  do  with  that  Female  Spy 


we  have  heard  so  much  about  of  late,'  said 
the  major. 

'  Indeed  !  a  deal  of  trouble  she  has  given 
us  too,'  I  remarked. 

'  The  truth  is — and  I  suppose  you  are 
aware  of  the  fact — we  all  thought  we  had 
her  in  our  clutches  the  other  night,  but  she 
contrived  to  slip  through  our  fingers,  and  is 
probably  beyond  our  reach  by  this  time,' 
added  the  major. 

'  I  am  heartily  glad  of  it ! '  exclaimed  the 
undoubtedly  veritable  Miss  Marietta  Mar- 
land, with  a  toss  of  the  head . 

'  Just  hear  my  madcap  coz  talk,  captain. 
Why,  if  any  of  our  provost  marshals  or  de- 
tectives heard  her  expressing  such  disloyal 
sentiments,  I  could  not  answer  for  her  lib- 
erty.' 

'  I'd  plead  for  her  life  even  to  the  scaf- 
fold,' said  Miss  jMai'land,  with  unaffected  ear- 
nestness. 

'  You  must  have  some  great  motive  in  be- 
ing willing  thus  to  interest  yourself  in  behalf 
of  so  bold  a  criminal  as  this  female  spy  ?  '  said 
I,  with  a  surprised  look. 

'  I  owe  her  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  I  can 
never  repay,'  replied  Marietta,  enthusiasti- 
cally. '  She  has  been  my  good  angel,  what- 
ever mischief  she  may  have  wrought  to  the 
confederacy.' 

'  I  suppose,  captain,'  said  the  major,  seri- 
ously, '  it  is  a  fact  that  the  unknown  person- 
age called  the  Female  Spy,  for  some'strange 
reason  or  caprice,  assumed  the  character  and 
position  of  Marietta  Marland,  this  lady, 
(while  the  latter  was  at  a  boarding  school  in 
the  land  of  our  enemies,)  and  through  her 
shrewdness  and  energy,  absolutely  caused 
the  restitution  of  a  great  fortune,  in  the 
hands  of  a  swindling  steward,  who  claimed 
it  as  his  own,  and  caused  it  to  be  restored  to 
its  rightful  owner.    Am  I  not  right,  cousin  'I ' 

'It  is  true — every  word,'  was  Marietta's 
reply ;  '  and  it  as  well  known  in  Jackson  as 
any  event  that  has  occurred  there  for  a 
twelvemonth.  Now,  is  it  strange,  captain, 
that  I  should  feel  interest  enough  in  this 


132 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


benefactor  of  mine  as  to  hope  fliat  she  has 
escapcfl  from  the  punishment  usually  meted 
out  to  spies  ?  '  she  added,  appealing  to  me. 

'  Not  only  not  strange,  but  quite  natural,' 
I  replied.  '  But  what  could  have  been  the 
spy's  motive  for  thus  interesting  herself  in 
your  affairs  ?  ' 

'  I  know  of  none  other  than  that  it  was  to 
divert  suspicion  from  her  real  character,'  re- 
plied Miss  Marland. 

'  But  why  was  it  that  she  was  not  recog- 
nized as  an  impostor  when  she  assumed  your 
name  and  character?  '  I  asked. 

'  I  had  grown  from  childhood  into  woman- 
bood  since  any  one  of  the  servants  or  neigh- 
boi-s  had  seen  me,  having  been  sent  Xorth 
at  an  early  age  to  complete  my  education. 
Altogether,  however,  it  is  a  great  mystery  ; 
and  I  have  an  irrepressible  curiosity  not 
only  to  unravel  it,  but  to  meet  with  this  cul- 
prit benefactor  of  mine.' 

'  Should  you  meet  her  it  would  be  your 
duty  to  expose  her,'  I  suggested. 

*I  would  not  do  it,'  she  replied  with  res- 
olate  emphasis. 

'  The  authorities  might  compel  you,'  said 
Major  Marland. 

'  I'd  die  first,'  she  answered,  as  if  she 
meant  it. 

'It  is  to  be  hoped,  then,  that  you  may 
never  meet  with  her  while  this  war  lasts,' 
said  I. 

The  last  words  had  hardly  escaped  my 
mouth,  when  a  tall,  dark  visaged  man,  attir- 
ed in  a  civilian's  garb,  and  whom  I  had  ob- 
served as  he  walked  to  and  fro,  apparently 
in  a  state  of  absent-mindedness,  and  seem- 
ingly not  taking  notice  of  any  one  or  any- 
thing that  was  going  on,  suddenly  halted 
and  confronted  the  little  group  of  which  I 
was  one. 

We  all  instinctively  arose  at  the  apparent 
rudeness. 

'  The  lady  will  oblige  me  by  walking  with 
me  to  the  provost-marshal's  oflBce,'  said  the 
stranger,  in  the  most  imperturbable  manner. 


We  all  started  as  if  a  bombshell  had 
been  thrown  into  our  midst. 

'  Sir  !  did  you  address  me  ?  '  essayed 
Miss  Marland,  with  consternation  depicted 
upon  her  countenance. 

'  I  said  the  lady!^  he  replied,  with  empha- 
sis and  coolness. 

'  Are  you  not  a  stranger  to  this  lady  ?  ' 
ejaculated  the  major,  his  face  crimson  with 
anger. 

'  Undoubtedly,'  was  the  reply. 

'  Then,  sir,  I  claim  to  know  by  what  au- 
thority you  make  so  rude  a  request?  '  de- 
manded the  irate  major. 

'  I  deny  any  rudeness,  sir.  I  made  a  re- 
quest that  she  should  accompany  me  to  the 
provost-marshal's  office,  and  now  I  order  her 
to  accompany  me  thither.' 

'  I  demand  your  authority  for  this  unac- 
countable procedure.' 

'  I  have  authority,  but  am  not  compelled 
to  show  it  to  whoever  is  pleased  to  ask  it.' 

'  I  demand  it  in  behalf  of  this  lady, 
whose  kinsman  I  am  ! '  exclaimed  the  major, 
kindlinor  with  rage. 

'  There  must  be  some  mistake  here,'  I 
interposed,  as  the  real  state  of  the  case 
dawned  upon  my  mind.  '  You  I  suppose  to 
be  a  detective  ?  ' 

'It  matters  not  what  I  am,'  replied  the 
stranger.  '  I  know  my  duty  and  must  ex- 
ercise it.  The  lady  must  go  with  me.  If 
you  and  this  other  officer  choose  to  go  with 
us,  you  can  have  the  privilege.  The  dis- 
tance is  but  short ;  the  bombardment  has 
nearly  ceased  for  to-day,  and  there  will  be 
but  little  danger.' 

The  major  was  somewhat  appeased  by  this 
last  speech,  but  seemed  not  quite  ready  to 
acquiesce  in  the  demand. 

'It  is  useless  to  resist,'  continued  the 
stem  stranger,  '  for  with  one  little  signal  I 
can  summon  twenty  assistants  to  my  side.' 

'  By  all  means  let  us  go  there,'  counselled 
Miss  Marietta ;  '  I  can  see  no  harm  to  resuli 
from  it ;  for  if  this  man  has  conceived  the 
idea  that  I  am   a  suspicious  personage,  we 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


133 


can  there  convince  him  that  he  has  made  an 
egregious  blunder.  He  has  probably  mis- 
taken me  for  another.' 

'  Your  fair  cousin  counsels  well,'  said  I 
to  the  major. 

'  To  avoid  being  a  party  to  any  unneces- 
sary tumult  in  this  dismal  place,  I'll  waive 
all  objection  ;  but  I  shall  hold  this  stranger, 
whoever  he  may  be,  to  a  strict  account  for 
his  unexplained  conduct,'  said  the  major. 

'  You  shall  have  all  the  satisfaction  you 
may  require,'  said  the  disturber  of  our  some- 
what interesting  conversation,  in  a  manner 
that  indicated  that  he  could  not  easily  be 
disturbed. 

He  led  the  way,  and  with  Marietta,  es- 
corted on  either  side  by  her  fiery  cousin  and 
myself,  we  emerged  from  the  subterranean 
retreat,  and  wended  our  way  towards  the 
provost-marshal's  headquarters,  a  place  I 
was  already  somewhat  familiar  with. 

Having  arrived  there,  we  found  the  chief 
absent,  much  to  the  chagrin  of  the  supposed 
detective,  who  expressed  his  regret  at  the 
circumstance,  for  he  should  be  compelled  to 
detain  the  lady  in  custody  until  his  chief 
returned.  He  then  informed  us  that  he  had 
the  best  of  reasons  for  suspecting,  at  least, 
that  she  was  the  famous  female  spy  who  had 
given  the  general-in-chief  so  much  trouble. 
All  that  we  could  say  to  the  contrary  had 
no  effect  upon  him.  Under  this  state  of 
things  I  hurried  off  to  Gen.  P 's  head- 
quarters, for  the  purpose  of  explaining  to 
hira  the  great  and  unfortunate  blunder  which 
had  been  committed. 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

THE   REAL  SPY  INTERCEDES  FOR  THE  LIBERA- 
TION OF  AN   INNOCENT  PARTY  ACCUSED  OF 

BEING  A  SPY THE  GRATITUDE  OF  MY  NEW 

FRIENDS — A  SUCCESSION  OF  SURPRISES. 

It  was  certainly  a  remarkable  concatena- 
tion of  circumstances  that  led  to  my  a^-ain 
being  the  champion  of  the  heiress  of  Magnolia 
Villa. 

The  clock   struck  ten   on  that  eventful 


morning  when  I  reported  myself  to  the  rebel 
general  at  headquarters.  He  was  in  a  state 
of  great  mental  excitement  in  consequence 
of  the  early  bombardment,  and  its  terrific 
nature,  driving  the  population  to  every  place 
of  refuge  that  was  available,  and  doing  con- 
siderable damage  to  the  defences  and  princi- 
pal buildings  within.  He  was  engaged  in 
receiving  reports  from  the  several  command- 
ers of  the  different  points  of  defence ;  and  in 
bvery  case  the  report  was  not  of  that  nature 
likely  to  produce  agreeable  emotions  in  the 
breast  of  the  great  rebel  commander. 

Finding  it  a  most  unfavorable  moment  for 
presenting  to  him  the  facts  in  regard  to  the 
arrest  of  Miss  Marland,  I  waited  impatiently 
for  the  most  propitious  opportunity  for  so 
doing,  employing  the  time  in  walking  to  and 
fro,  listening  to  the  conversation  of  new 
comers,  and  looking  over  the  various  papera 
and  reports  which  lay  promiscuously  upoa 
the  table. 

At  length  the  last  visitor  disappeared, 
when  I  seized  the  opportunity  to  a&k  a  few 
moments  audience  with  him. 

'  Be  seated,  captain,'  said  he.  *  I'll  listen 
to  anything  that  will  distrac^,  my  thoughts 
from  the  disasters  of  the  morning  ' 

'  I  wish  to  intercede  for  tao  immediate  lib- 
eration of  a  lady  who  wa?  arrested  this  mora- 
ing  by  one  of  the  provost's  detec lives.' 

'  Arrested  for  what  ?  ' 

'  On  suspicion  of  being  a  spy. ' 

'  I  believe  a  score  or  more  have  already 
been  arrested  on  the  same  grounds,  but  in 
every  case,  they  readily  proved  that  there 
was  no  ground  for  f-uspicion.' 

'  And  there  is  none  in  this  case.' 

'  What  are  the  circumstances  on  which 
they  ground  their  suspicions  ?  ' 

'  None ;  unless  they  are  afforded  by  the 
fact  that  her  name  is  Marrietta  Marland.* 

'  Why,  that  is  the  name  of  the  lady  that 
the  notorious  Female  Spy  assumed.' 

'  Precisely ;  only  this  happens  to  be  the 
genuine  Marietta  Marland  ;  and  she  was 
with  her  cousin,  Major  Marland,  at  the  time 


134 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


of  her  arrest.  But  the  stupid  detective 
would  not  be  reasoned  with.  He  took  her 
to  the  provost's  headquarters  where  she  is 
now  held  until  the  chief  of  that  office  returns 
to  investigate  the  matter,  and  be  satisfied 
that  his  subordinate  has  made  a  most  egre- 
gious mistake.' 

'  These  false  arrests  are  very  annoying  ; 
they  give  me  a  deal  of  trouble,'  resumed  the 
general.  '  He  suspects  her  of  being  the 
Female  Spy,  does  he  ?  ' 

'So  he  declares.* 

'  Do  you  know,  of  your  own  knowledge, 
that  she  is  not  the  spy  ?  ' 

*  I  can  make  oath  of  it,  if  necessary.' 

'  Then  I  am  satisfied.  You  shall  have 
an  order  for  her  immediate  release,'  said  the 
general,  seating  himself  at  the  table,  and 
hastily  penning  an  order,  addressed  to  the 
marshal  or  either  of  his  subordinates,  to  lib- 
erate the  suspected  party  ;  and  without  seal- 
ing it,  placed  it  in  ray  hands. 

I  expressed  ray  thanks,  and  hurried  back 
to  the  provost's  office.  I  found  the  major 
pacing  to  and  fro  in  no  enviable  state  of 
mind. 

'  Where  is  your  cousin  ?  '  I  asked. 

'  These  brave  men,  clothed  with  a  little 
brief  authority,  desiring  to  make  it  impos- 
ible  for  theirprisoner  to  escape,  have  caused 
her  to  be  taken  from  this  room,  and  probably 
thrust  into  sorae  cell,  or  dungeon,'  said  the 
major,  with  bitter  sarcasm. 

'  She  shall  not  remain  there  any  longer,' 
said  I,  producing  the  order  for  her  release, 
and  reading  it  to  two  or  three  subordinates 
in  the  room. 

'This  is  all  regular,'  said  one  of  them  ; 
'  and  it  comes  from  a  source  not  to  be  ques- 
tioned. The  lady  shall  be  at  once  released, ' 
and  he  left  the  apartment  for  the  purpose  of 
producing  the  prisoner  and  permitting  her 
to  go  at  liberty. 

'  You  have  won  my  eternal  gratitude  and 
friendship  for  this  good  service.  Captain 
Temple,'  said  the  elated  major,  seizing  both 
my  hands  and  pressing  them  warmly. 


'  The  service  is  but  a  trifling  one,'  said  T 
'  A  word  or  two  with  the  general,  and  the 
thing  was  accomplished.' 

'  You  must  have  a  mighty  influence  with 
him  to  obtain  this  order  of  release  before  any 
investigation  whatever  could  take  place,' 
said  the  major. 

'  He  has  entire  confidence  in  me,  and 
relied  solely  upon  my  word  that  the  lady 
was  not  the  noted  Female  Spy.' 

At  this  moment  Marietta  appeared,  accom- 
panied by  the  officer,  who  politely  gave  her 
into  our  hands,  at  the  same  time  expressing 
his  regrets  that  the  detective  should  have 
made  such  a  mistake. 

It  was  evident  that  Marietta  had  been 
weeping  violently ;  and  even  now  the  bright 
pupils  of  her  beautiful  eyes  were  bathed  in 
tears  which  also  glistened  upon  the  long  lash- 
es like  dewdrops  on  the  petals  of  a  flower. 

'  It  is  all  over  now.  Marietta  ;  but  it  was 
a  cruel  fright ;  and  hang  me,  if  I  don't  have 
satisfaction  of  that  blundering  detective,  I'm 
not  worthy  to  wear  a  sword,'  said  the  major, 
his  wrath  by  no  means  appeased.  '  You 
might  have  had  to  stay  in  this  prison-house 
all  day,  and  perhaps  all  night,  too,  if  it  had 
not  been  for  our  kind  friend  here — Captain 
Temple.  He  obtained  your  discharge  from 
no  less  a  personage  than  the  general  himself. ' 

'  How  much,  sir,  I  have  to  thank  you 
for,'  said  she,  enthusiastically  addressing  me. 

'  Not  so  much  as  you  imagine,'  I  answer- 
ed, my  conscience  telling  me  that  /  was, 
after  all,  the  prime  cause  of  her  morning's 
mishap. 

'Indeed,  sir,  I  imagine  nothing,'  she  re- 
turned. '  You  have  done  me  a  great  favor, 
for  every  minute  that  I  was  under  duress 
and  suspense  was  torture  to  me.  Therefore, 
for  each  moment  that  my  torture  was  short- 
ened, I  owe  you  a  debt  of  gratitude.' 

I  did  not  observe  until  then  how  beauti- 
ful— how  very  beautiful — Miss  Marland  was. 
She  was  as  fair  as  a  lily  and  as  bright  as  a 
diamond  ;  and  her  features  wore  an  expres- 
sion of  more  than  human  sweetness — it  was 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


135 


serapliic ;  her  figure,  too,  was  graceful  as 
that  of  a  sylph,  and  her  voice  was  as  musi- 
cal as  the  most  melodious  of  warblers.  The 
thought  of  my  being  once  told  that  I  re- 
sembled this  lady  absolutely  excited  my 
pride.  Had  I  been  that  which  I  represented 
— a  spruce  young  officer — I  am  sure  that 
Cupid  would  have  expended  ona  of  his  ar- 
rows while  my  gaze  was  fixed  upon  her  al- 
most marvellous  loveliness.  I  surely  should 
have  embraced  her,  as  I  would  have  done  a 
beloved  sister,  had  not  my  costume  forbid- 
den my  taking  such  a  liberty.  In  truth,  I 
never  before  realized  how  awkward  it  was  to 
be  encased  in  habiliments  made  only  for  the 
opposite  sex ;  for  I  had  conceived  a  regard 
for  this  lady  that  I  never  before  felt  for  any 
of  her  sex,  except  my  mother. 

I  knew  that  it  was  impertinent  to  thus 
scan  her  features,  and  only  withdrew  my 
gaze  when  I  saw  the  tide  of  crimson  sufius- 
ing  her  cheeks ;  and  had  I  been  observed 
by  the  major, — who  was  exchanging  at  the 
moment  some  pretty  tart  expressions  with 
one  of  the  provost  force, — I  am  quite  sure 
he  would  have  resented  it. 

Our  unfortunate  business  at  this  office 
having  terminated  favorably,  as  I  knew  it 
would,  we  walked  away  together,  the  major 
animadverting  strongly  upon  the  unneces- 
sary officiousness  of  all  police  spies  of  gov- 
ernment, while  Marietta  was  profuse  in  her 
expressions  of  gratitude  for  my  kind,  unso- 
licited interference  in  her  behalf. 

On  nearing  one  of  the  large  squares  of 
the  city,  where  a  regiment  of  soldiers  was 
encamped,  I  deemed  it  prudent  to  take  leave 
of  my  newly  made  friends,  and  repair  to 
my  own  private  quarters.  On  intimating 
such  an  intention,  the  major  said,  with  much 
warmth  and  earnestness, — 

'  I  protest,  captain,  you  must  not  leave 
us  thus  abruptly;  we  must  be  better  ac- 
quainted.' 

'  We  shall  meet  frequently,  I  do  not 
doubt,'  I  answered. 

'  That  is  by  no  means  certain.     I  may 


not  get  another  day  off  duty  for  a  fortniglit ; 
and  your  duties  at  headquarters  may  pre- 
vent you  from  having  an  opportunity  of  vis- 
iting my  regiment,  which  at  present  is  guard- 
ing a  line  of  works  in  the  outer  defences. 
So  I  insist  on  your  accompanying  us.  What 
say  you,  cousin  ?  ' 

'  I  hope  Captain  Temple  will  be  persuad- 
ed,' replied  Marietta;  'and  as  you  have 
promised  to  dine  with  me,  I  hope  the  cap- 
tain will  consent  to  make  one  of  our  little 
dinner  party.  You  know,  cousin,  that  my 
dear  Aunt  Crawford  gave  me  a  carte  hlanche 
to  invite  any  of  my  friends  to  partake  of 
such  hospitality  as  her  house  afforded.  I 
am  sure  that  the  captaia  will  consider  him- 
self one  of  my  best  friends.' 

'  There,  Temple,  you  cannot  refuse  after 
such  an  invitation,'  exclaimed  the  major. 

'  Miss  Marland  does  me  great  honor,  in- 
deed. I  shall  be  proud  to  be  ranked  even 
among  the  least  of  her  fi-iends ;  but ' 

'  Halt,  there,  captain,— rwe  can't  admit  of 
any  excuses.  Were  I  in  your  place  I  should 
surrender  at  discretion,'  urged  the  m^jor. 

'  I  admit  that  the  temptation  is  very  great ; 
but  there  are ' 

'  Nay,  captain,  the  major  is  the  superior 
officer,'  said  Marietta,  facetiously, '  and  when 
he  commands,  subordinates  must  obey.' 

'Not  when  a  lady  is  in  the  question,'  I 
answered.  '  The  prerogative  belongs  to 
Miss  Marland.' 

'  Then,  captain,  my  order  is  that  you 
dine  with  us  to-day  ! '  said  she,  with  an  au- 
thoritative air. 

'  Fairly  caught,  captain  ! '  exclaimed  the 
major.     *  Coz,  you  did  that  well.' 

'  I  bow  in  submission  to  the  most  irresisti- 
ble of  commanders,'  I  replied. 

My  deliberate  judgment  would  have  dis- 
suaded me  from  being  so  readily  made  the 
guest  of  my  new  made  friends  ;  but  I  gave 
the  matter  so  little  consideration,  that  I  per- 
mitted myself  to  continue  the  interview  with 
my  agreeable  companions  for  a  little  time 
longer. 


136 


VIBGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


We  had  now  turned  into  the  street  made 
memorable  to  me  by  one  of  the  most  daring 
and  dangerous  adventures  I  had  yet  encoun- 
tered. Not  having  the  most  remote  idea  of 
the  situation  of  the  residence  of  Miss  Mar- 
land's  aunt,  judge  of  ray  surprise  and  amaze- 
ment, when  we  reached  the  spot  where  I  had 
performed  the  duty  of  sentinel  as  a  substitute 
for  Potiphar  Tomlinson,  Miss  Marland  said, 
'  This  is  the  house,'  and  began  to  ascend  the 
eteps. 

If  I  was  startled,  and  did  hesitate,  I  re- 
covered myself  in  time  not  to  be  observed. 
I  felt  almost  as  if  I  were  led  into  a  trap 
expressly  prepared  for  me  ;  and  after  I  had 
entered  the  drawing-room,  and  was  intro- 
duced to  '  Aunt  Crawford,'  an  aristocratic 
and  dignified  looking  lady  of  some  fifty  years 
of  age,  my  heart  throbbed  as  if  my  character 
and  sex  had  already  been  discovered.  But 
fortunately,  the  good  aunt  had  so  many 
anxious  inquiries  to  make  in  regard  to  the 
effects  of  the  terrific  bombardment  of  that 
morning,  to  be  answei'ed  by  the  two  cousins, 
that  for  the  time  attention  was  withdrawn 
from  me.  Their  experience  of  the  morning 
was  fully  rehearsed,  and  the  manner  of 
making  tlje  '  agreeable  acquaintance  of  Cap- 
tain Temple'  was  explained  to  the  good  lady's 
entire  satisfaction. 

The  conversation  now  turned  upon  other 
Bubjects, — of  a  kindred  nature,  however, — 
touching  the  prospects  of  raising  the  seige, 
and  the  triumphs  and  the  reverses  of  the  con- 
federate armies  in  other  sections  of  rebeldom  ; 
and  by  way  of  variety,  a  most  interesting 
topic  was  introduced — the  Female  Spy — 
ihat  portion  of  her  exploits  known  to  the 
parties, — Miss  Marland  relating  in  detail, 
with  tolerable  accuracy,  and  probably  for 
the  twentieth  time,  the  part  the  spy  played 
in  Jackson ;  the  major  narrating  her  hair- 
breadth escapes  in  Vickr.burg,  with  some 
remarkable  embellishments;  and  Mrs.  Craw- 
ford giving  quite  a  glowing  account  of  her 
having  taken  refuge  in  that  very  house  at  a 
time  when  she  herself  waa  absent,  and  the 


unaccountable  and  almost  miraculous  man- 
ner in  which  she  had  escaped  tlie  detection 
of  the  servants,  and  also  of  the  officers  who 
had  thoroughly  searched  the  house. 

These  things,  of  course,  were  all  well- 
known  to  the  hostess,  and  to  the  nephew  and 
niece,  Init  they  were  now  rehearsed  espe- 
cially for  my  edification.  I  bore  the  inflic- 
tion like  a  martyr,  and  used  as  many  exclar 
mations  of  astonishment  as  if  every  point 
touched  upon  was  entirely  new  to  me. 

This  subject  having  been  exhausted,  the 
major  arose  and  said  : 

'  What  say  you  to  a  ride  to  Fort  Pem- 
berton,  coz,  before  dinner?  I  am  sure  Cap- 
tain Temple  will  be  glad  to  see  this  impreg- 
nable work.  And  Aunt  Crawford,  you  will 
go,  too  ?  ' 

'  No,  Henry,  I  must  remain  at  home. 
You  know  we  have  but  two  servants  now — 
the  others  are  at  work  in  the  mine,'  replied 
the  hostess.  '  But  you  go,  by  all  means. 
Our  carriage  is  at  your  service.  Our  coach- 
man can  drive.' 

'  No,  aunty,  we  will  not  take  him  from 
you,  interposed  Miss  Marland.  '  Cuffee, 
who  has  nothing  else  to  do,  and  who  is  an 
excellent  coachman,  shall  drive.' 

I  was  again  startled.  That  ebony  friend 
of  mine  seemed  to  arise  like  a  great  black 
mark  against  me.  What  if  he  should  re- 
cognize, in  spite  of  my  present  disguise,  the 
once  brief  occupant  of  Magnolia  Villa,  and 
in  his  astonishment  utter  an  exclamation 
that  would  betray  me  ?  My  uniform  good 
luck  must  save  me  now,  or  the  consequences 
will  be  terrible. 

Cuifee  was  forthwith  summoned  to  the 
hall.  Mrs.  Crawford  stepped  ou^,  and  gave 
him  instructions  to  get  the  carriage  in  readi- 
ness, adding  that  Pompey  would  aid  him  in 
harnessing  the  horses. 

Pompey,  too,  was  another  object  that  I 
did  not  care  to  encounter  face  to  face,  though 
I  imagined  he  had  much  less  penetration 
than  his  darker  colored  brother. 

In  the  course  of  twenty  minutes  the  car- 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


137 


riage  was  announced,  and  we  arose  to  take 
our  departure. 

'  Remember,'  said  our  hostess,  'that  we 
dine  at  four  o'clock,  and  Chloe  is  punctual 
to  a  minute. 

Chloe  !  One  after  another  it  seemed  as  if 
the  ghosts  of  my  sable  acquaintances  rose 
up  before  me. 

•  Oh,  we  shall  return  before  that  time, 
aunty,*  replied  Miss  Marland,  as  we  passed 
down  the  steps. 

The  cousins  preceded  me,  and  the  major, 
after  assisting  the  lady  into  the  barouche, 
insisted  on  my  taking  the  back  seat  beside 
her. 

As  I  stepped  across  the  sidewalk  I  could 
not  avoid  casting  a  glance  at  the  tall,  digni- 
fied looking  mustee,  whom  I  had  first  en- 
countered in  the  passage-way  leading  to  the 
rear  of  that  very  mansion.  There  was  no 
perceptible  movement  of  the  muscles  of  his 
face,  and  no  flash  from  his  dark  eye,  that 
indicated  a  discovery.  Nor  was  his  gaze 
fixed  upon  me  after  the  first  glance.  He 
closed  the  door  of  the  carriage,  looked  at 
the  harness  and  horses  to  see  that  all  was 
right,  and  indicating  the  same  to  our  Jehu, 
he  turned  upon  his  heel  and  walked  towards 
the  house,  and  the  prancing  horses  and  aris- 
tocratic barouche  rolled  away. 

Cufiee,  in  his  livery,  sat  upon  the  box, 
the  very  personification  of  sable  dignity. 
His  appearance  called  to  my  mind  my  first 
ride  from  Magnolia  Villa  to  the  city  of  Jack- 
son in  that  stately,  venerable-looking  vehi- 
cle— ^the  family  coach  of  the  Marlands  in 
the  palmy  days  of  their  pride  and  prosperity. 

As  yet,  he  had  not  turned  his  head.  It 
seemed  as  if  he  had  no  pivot  to  turn  upon ; 
for  he  received  and  obeyed  orders  without 
a  movement  of  that  venerable  caput,  but 
with  the  invariable  answer — '  Ees,  massa.' 

I  soon  had  an  admirable  opportunity  of 
viewing  a  portion  of  the  defences  of  the  city 
which  I  had  not  before  visited,  and  with 
wliich  the  major  appeared  to  be  most  thor- 
oughly faraihar,  for  he  explained  to  his  cou- 


sin and  myself,  with  admirable  clearness, 
all  the  peculiarities  of  every  work  that  came 
under  our  observation. 

At  length  we  reached  the  main  approach 
to  the  grand  fortification — the  impregnable 
barrier  which  stood  in  the  way  of  the  besieg- 
ers— Fort  Pemberton.  On  that  marvel  of 
military  engineering  the  hopes  of  the  de- 
fenders of  Vicksburg  mainly  depended.  It 
was  their  great  stronghold,  and  none  dared 
to  suggest  that  all  the  material  and  stratgetic 
powers  of  the  Yankees  could  prevail  against 
it,  little  dreaming  that  they  whom  they 
boastingly  defied  were  already  prosecuting 
a  plan  which  must  end  in  its  downfall. 

On  alighting,  we  found  no  difficulty  in 
gaining  a  ready  ingress  through  the  ponder- 
ous gate  which  led  to  the  esplanade  within, 
for  the  major  was  an  intimate  acquaintance 
of  the  officer  of  the  day,  a  gentleman  who 
had  also  recognized  me  as  one  he  had  seen 
at  the  headquarters  of  the  geueral-in-chief. 
Besides,  my  stafi"  insignia  was  a  general  pass 
to  all  guarded  places  within  that  militaiy 
department. 

Another  officer,  who  was  off"  duty,  and 
who  was  also  an  acquaintance  of  Major  IMar- 
land's,  very  generously  ofiered  to  act  as  our 
cicerone.  He  led  us  first  to  the  parapets, 
where  he  many  times  repeated  a  caution  not 
to  show  our  heads  above  the  crown  of  the 
wall.  He  shew  us  the  great  guns,  told  us 
their  calibre  and  their  efiectiveness.  We 
then  followed  him  down  to  the  casemates, 
and  through  the  quarters  of  several  of  tlie 
soldiers,  located  beneath  the  possibility  of 
being  reached  either  by  shell  or  shot.  The 
magazines,  too,  were  made  a  matter  of  spe- 
cial interest  to  us,  and  he  told  us  to  a  pound 
how  much  powder  they  contained,  and  how 
many  tons  of  shot,  shell  and  grenades  were 
available  for  the  defence  of  that  all-impor- 
tant work. 

But  the  most  interesting  feature  of  the 
fortification — which  the  officer  told  us  was 
kept  a  secret  from  all  except  the  officera  of 
the  fort,  and  those  who  worked  therein,  — 


138 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


was  the  tunnel  which  was  being  dug  far  be- 
neath one  of  the  casemates,  and  which  was 
intended  to  extend  toward  and  beneath  the 
enemy's  approaches.  A  well  had  been 
sunk  some  thirty  or  forty  feet,  and  the  tun- 
neling had  progressed  about  thirty  feet,  and 
when  completed  to  the  supposed  effective 
distance,  a  mine  of  powder  was  to  be  depos- 
ted,  which,  when  sprung,  would  cause  death 
and  destruction  to  all  around. 

I  had  heard  some  unsatisfactory  allusion 
to  what  I  supposed  to  be  tliis  very  mining 
operation,  at  head-quarters,  and  of  course  I 
was  eager  to  gather  all  the  particulars  in 
regard  to  it,  both  by  examination  and  by 
the  descriptive  details  of  our  guide.  These 
I  carefully  treasured  up  in  my  memory, 
fully  appreciating  the  importance  the  knowl- 
edge tliereof  would  be  to  him  whom  I  was 
serving. 

After  complying  with  a  pressing  invita- 
tion from  our  gentlemanly  cicerone,  to  make 
a  call  at  his  quarters  and  refresh  ourselves 
with  a  glass  of  claret,  we  left  this  famous 
fortification,  feeling  that  an  hour  and  a  half 
had  been  well  spent. 

We  found  Cuffee  and  the  carriage  where 
we  had  left  them.  He  was  no  longer 
mounted  upon  the  box,  for  there  was  no  one 
to  act  the  part  of  footman,  and  he  stood  be- 
side the  earriao;e  door  awaiting  our  coming. 

As  we  approached,  I  saw  that  his  eyes 
were  bent  upon  me.  I  quickly  drew  forth 
a  handkerchief,  and  pretended  to  wipe  the 
perspiration  from  my  brow,  but  really  for 
the  purpose  of  partially  concealing  my  fea- 
tures. But  it  was  too  late  ;  he  had  obtained 
a  good  view  of  my  face,  and  as  I  drew 
nearer,  he  held  up  both  hands  and  gazed 
upwardly  in  a  prayerful  attitude,  and  I 
heard  him  utter  these  words  : 

'  Gorra  bress  my  soul !  '  and  he  gave 
such  a  loolf  of  intelligence,  that  I  put  one 
finger  suddenly  over  my  mouth  as  a  signal 
for  him  to  maintain  perfect  silence.  He 
seemed  to  understand  it,  and  mounted  his 
box  without  further  observation,  and  drove 


towards  the  central  part  of  the  city  at  a 
much  brisker  rate  than  he  had  driven  out 
of  it. 

For  some  reason  or  other  our  conversa- 
tion began  to  grow  spiritless  on  our  ride 
homeward.  The  major  was  as  talkative  as 
ever,  but  a  spell  seemed  to  have  fallen  upon 
the  wonted  vivacity  of  Miss  Marland  ;  and 
as  for  myself,  my  brains  had  surely  gone 
wool-gathering,  for  I  frequently  made  an- 
swers to  the  major  without  precisely  know- 
ing what  he  was  talking  about.  I  almost 
felt  that  I  was  riding  on  to  my  certain  de- 
struction. 

At  length  we  arrived  at  Mrs.  Crawford's 
residence,  and  as  we  alighted,  I  could  not 
avoid  directing  a  few  glances  towards  our 
ebony  driver ;  and  although  his  gaze  met 
mine,  his  face  was  as  stolid  as  a  lump  of 
anthracite  coal.  '  There  was  no  specula- 
tion in  the  eyes  that  he  did  glare  with.' 

Mrs.  Crawford  welcomed  us  back  with 
most  cordial  expressions,  and  after  being 
assured  that  we  bad  enjoyed  our  ride  and 
had  a  most  interesting  visit  at  Fort  Pember- 
ton,  dinner  was  announced. 

The  banquet  was  quite  a  sumptuous  one, 
and  although  I  had  not  eaten  a  mouthful 
that  day,  I  lacked  the  appetite  to  do  the 
luxurious  viands  ample  justice,  but  I  made 
a  most  extraordinary  effort  to  do  my  full 
share  in  the  animated  conversation  in  which 
all  took  part,  made  the  more  difiBcult  by  the 
constant  attention  of  Pompey  in  waiting  up- 
on the  guests,  and  by  the  frequent  appear- 
ance of  Chloe,  as  one  course  followed 
another. 

It  was  indeed  a  relief  to  me  when,  after 
being  seated  at  that  hospitable  table  for  a 
long  hour  and  a  half,  our  little  party  arose 
and  returned  to  the  drawing-room. 

Here  we  resumed  conversation,  and  after 
such  time  as  I  thought  that  I  might  bid  my 
agreeable  friends  adieu  with  a  proper  grace, 
and  was  on  the  eve  of  carrying  out  this 
intention,  the  major  looked  at  his  watch, 
ai-ose  hastily,   and  begged   that  we   might 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


139 


excuse  his  absence  for  half  an  hour  to  fulfill 
a  brief  engagement  that  he  had  entered  into. 

'  Captain,'  added  he,  '  do  not  fail  to  let 
me  find  you  here  on  my  return.' 

'  I  will  answer  for  that,'  said  Miss  Mar- 
land,  as  he  hastily  left  the  room  ;  for  I  shall 
make  a  most  desperate  effort  to  entertain 
him  until  your  return.' 

'  Do  so,'  said  he,  and  was  gone,  without 
giving  mo  an  opportunity  to  explain  to  him 
why  it  was  necessary  for  me  to  take  my 
leave  very  soon  ;  for  I  had  already  framed  a 
most  plausible  excuse  in  my  own  mind. 

I  was  now  alone  with  the  heSfess  of  Mag- 
nolia Villa,  for  our  agreeable  hostess  had  ex- 
cused herself,  on  account  of  some  urgent 
domestic  duties,  before  we  left  the  dining- 
room. 

'  I  said  I  should  make  a  most  desperate 
effort  to  entertain  you  during  my  cousin's 
short  absence,'  said  she,  seating  herself  rath- 
er nearer  to  me  than  a  maiden's  modesty 
would  have  permitted  under  ordinary  circum- 
stances ;  and  not  content  with  this  familiarity 
she  absolutely  placed  my  hand  within'  hers, 
and,  looking  me  in  the  face,  said  : 

'  Pardon  me,  captain ;  if  I  am  not  mis- 
taken I  have  discovered  your  secret!  ' 

'  ]My  secret  ? '  I  ejaculated,  not  a  little 
startled. 

'  Yes,  your  secret.  But  be  not  alarmed  ; 
we  are  alone.' 

-  Do  I  look  alarmed  ? '  said  I,  with  tremu- 
lous accent. 

'  I  confess  that  you  do.  Now  tell  me  and 
tell  me  truly,  is  not  this  little  hand,  so  deli- 
cate and  white,  the  hand  of  a  lady  ?  ' 

I  was  dumb. 

•  Your  silence  says.  Yes.  I  slightly  sus- 
pected you  soon  after  we  left  the  cave  this 
morning.  My  suspicions  grew  stronger  as 
you  walked  with  us  hither,  and  they  were 
fully  confirmed  when  I  saw  that  Cuffee  had 
recognized  you.  Without  appearing  to 
watch  you  I  have  scrutinized  you  closely. 
And  it  is  fortunate,  perhaps,  that  you  are  a 
woman  :  for  I  should  have  fallen   in    love 


with  you  had  you  been  what  you  at  first  ap- 
peared to  be.  I  strongly  suspect  that  my 
cousin,  the  major, — who,  by  the  by,  is  a 
married  man — thinks  that  I  surely  have  lost 
my  heart.' 

'  I  must  believe,  Miss  Marland  that  you 
are  sincere  in  believing  me  one  of  your  own 
sex ;  your  every  action,  as  well  as  your  words 
show  it, '  said  I,  without  implicating  myself. 

'  I  cannot  blame  you  for  your  reluctance 
to  admit  it,'  she  resumed  ;  '  but  you  can 
open  your  heart  to  me  with  perfect  safety ; 
for  I  confess  that,  having  been  reared  to 
love  the  Union  and  its  starry  symbol,  I  can 
have  no  sympathy  with  this  cruel  rebellion. 
With  your  cause  I  alone  sympathize,  and 
trust  it  will  prevail  against  those  who  would 
crush  out  every  hope  of  liberty,  and  destroy 
this  great  and  glorious  republic' 

'  Do  you  not  endanger  your  own  liberty 
by  thus  expressing  yourself  in  this  hot  bed 
of  rebels  ?  '  I  inquired. 

'  To  you  only  have  I  confided  my  true 
thoughts  on  this  subject  since  I  came  within 
the  rebel  lines.' 

'  And  we  will  confide  in  each  other.  1 
am  a  woman  !  '  said  I,  no  longer  hesitat- 
ing. 

'  I  knew  it !  I  knew  it !  '  she  exclaimed, 
in  low  but  enthusistic  tones,  and  throwing 
herself  into  my  arms,  embraced  me  with  sis- 
terly affection.  '  And  you  are  the  Female 
Spy  ?  '  she  added,  in  a  whisper. 

'I  confess  it.' 

'  And  you  were  at  Jackson  a  few  weeks 
ago  ?  ' 

'  I  was.' 

'  And  at  Magnolia  Villa,  too  ?  ' 

'  I  cannot  deny  it.' 

'  And  caused  my  fortune  to  be  restored 
to  me  by  that  avaricious  and  criminal  guar- 
dian of  mine  —  Obadiah  Tomlinson?  ' 

'  I  certainly  did  something  of  that  kind.' 

'You  are,  indeed,  my  good  angel;  and 
oh  !  how  I  have  longed  to  see  you.  To 
speak  the  truth,  that  was  my  errand  in 
Vicksburg.     I  thought,  perhaps,  that  a  re- 


140 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


mote  chance  might  throw  you  in  my  way ; 
and  how  providentially  it  has  happened.' 

'  How  providentially,  too,  it  is  by  a 
Unionist  that  I  have  been  discovered  ! ' 

'  Oh,  yes  ;  and  that  bids  me  warn  you  to 
be  extremely  cautious ;  for  I  know  it  would 
go  hard  with  you  if  you  should  be  detected. ' 

'  I  know  all,'  said  I. 

'  Then,  for  my  sake,  be  cautious.' 

'  Tliink  you  that  your  cousin  or  aunt  have 
a  suspicion  that  I  am  other  than  what  I 
seem  ?  ' 

'  Not  the  slightest.  Give  yourself  no  un- 
easiness in  that  direction.  Cuffee,  I  am 
sure,  knows  all ;  but  he  is  as  true  as  steel, 
and  would  die  an  ignominious  death  rather 
than  betray  you.  We  have  talked  over  this 
matter  and  we  agree  perfectly.  He  looks 
upon  you  as  the  saviour  of  our  house  —  a 
sort  of  divinity  sent  expressly  to  thwart  the 
machinations  of  the  evil  one,  personified  in 
Obadiah  Tomlinson.  Let  me  now  ask  you, 
my  good  friend,  if  you  received  a  letter  from 
mo  soon  after  you  had  ariived  in  Vicksburg 
from  Jackson  ? ' 

'  Such  a  letter  I  did  receive  ;  and  I 
assure  you  that  I  was  agreeably  surprised 
that  you  did  not  seem  the  least  offended  for 
the  liberty  I  had  taken  with  your  n^ime  and 
position.  It  took  a  weight  of  lead  from  my 
heart ;  for  if  my  conscience  has  troubled  me 
in  anything  that  has  happened  since  I  dared 
to  assume  my  present  dangerous  character, 
it  was  that  I  had  trespassed  upon  the  right 
of  an  innocent  lady,  though  all  I  did  seemed 
almost  involuntary  upon  my  part.' 

'  How  could  I  have  been  displeased  when 
all  that  you  did  inured  only  to  my  benefit  ? 
and  now  how  can  I  repay  you  for  such  great 
service  ?  ' 

'  By  being  my  friend  and  keeping  my  se- 
cret,' I  answered. 

'  I  would  reward  you  pecuniarily.  I 
have  a  well-filled  J)urse  of  gold  that  I  would 
place  in  your  hands  as  a  slight  toljen  of  my 
gratitude.' 

'  Nay,    Miss   Marland,    gold    I    do    not 


need  ;  and  if  I  did,  I  protest  that  you  owe 
me  nothing.  Rather  let  us  mutually  agree 
that  we  will  be  each  other's  sworn  friend  ! 
and  when  this  war  is  ended,  and  peace  once 
more  reigns  within  the  borders  of  this  fair 
land,  then  it  is  my  warmest  desire  to  make 
you  a  visit  at  Magnolia  Villa,  and  see  once 
more  that  pai'adise  of  earthly  habitations.' 

'  Oh,  how  joyful  that  will  be  ! '  exclaimed 
Marietta,  with  enthusiasm.  '  Won't  that 
be  delightful  ?  What  gay  times  we  will 
have  !     You  shall  tell  me  your  history,  and 

I  will  tell   you but  here   comes   the 

major,  and  I  must  put  on  my  dignity,  and 
you  must  not  forget  that  you  are  still  Cap- 
tain Temple,'  and  she  took  a  seat  at  the  cen- 
tre-table, and  began  turning  over  the  leaves 
of  a  photographic  album,  filled  with  grey- 
coated  generals,  brigadiers,  colonels,  majors, 
captains,  etc. 

'  Am  I  punctual  in  my  engagements  ? ' 
said  the  major,  entering  the  drawing-room 
with .  a  watch  in  his  hand.  '  I  told  you  I 
would  return  in  half  an  hour,  and  it  is  now 
just  thirty  minutes  and  forty  seconds  since 
I  left  you.  How  have  you  enjoyed  your- 
self, captain'?  Has  my  cousin  played  the 
agreeable  ?  ' 

'Oh,  I  assure  you  that  I  have  been  sur- 
prisingly well  entertained,'  I  replied. 

'  Ah  !  I  thought  so.  But  beware,  cap- 
tain ;  I  more  than  half  suspect  that  my 
cousin  is  given  to  coquetry.  It  has  always 
been  the  way  with  the  feminines  of  the  Mar- 
laud  family,'  said  the  major,  facetiously. 

'  You  can't  plague  me,  cousin  Henry,  by 
intimating  that  I  am  a  flirt,'  she  replied, 
good-naturedly  ;  '  for  I  do  so  love  to  tease 
your  self-styled  "  lords  of  creation,"  that  I 
never  let  an  opportunity  escape. ' 

'  Tliere,  captain,  I  told  you  so,'  resumed 
Jlajor  Marland.  '  You  have  her  own  con- 
fession ;  and  it  is  well  that  you  are  warned 
in  time.  It  is  no  small  thing  to  understand 
our  modern  young  ladies,  before  we  get  too 
far  within  tlieir  magnetic  influence.' 

'  Henry,  if  you  were  not  my  kinsman,  I 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


141 


should  say,  most  emphatically,  that  you  are 
decidedly  impertinent,'  said  Miss  Marland, 
assuming  a  dignified  manner. 

'  Oh  !  I  ask  pardon,  my  sweet  coz,'  re- 
turned the  major,  '  but  the  truth  is,  I  met  a 
friend  —  an  old  classmate  of  mine  at  Har- 
vard —  and  we  took  a  glass  of  wine  to- 
gether.' 

'  I'll  wager  it  was  whiskey  ! '  said  Mari- 
etta, with  a  satirical  smile. 

'  Well, — I  don't  know  but  it  was  whis- 
key— wine  or  whiskey,  it's  all  the  same  to 
me  ;  but  I  have  felt  elevated  about  three 
feet  and  a  half  from  the  earth  ever  since  I 
drank  it.  Therefore,  I  am  entitled  to  your 
consideration  ; '  and  saying  this,  the  major 
threw  himself  into  an  easy  chair,  and  in  less 
than  ten  minutes  he  had  journeyed  so  far 
into  the  land  of  dreams  that  it  was  thought 
best  not  to  disturb  him. 

I  took  this  opportunity  to  take  leave  of 
this  hospitable  mansion,  promising,  however, 
that  if  it  were  possible,  I  would  again  call 
before  the  day  fixed  for  Miss  Marland's 
leaving  Vicksburg. 

On  retiring  to  my  couch  that  night,  I 
could  not  but  think  the  events  of  that  day 
were  the  most  singular  that  I  had  ever  ex- 
perienced. But  I  also  had  premonitions 
that  I  was  yet  to  play  a  part  in  a  scene  of  a 
more  exciting  nature  than  any  in  which  I 
had  as  yet  participated. 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

A  REVELATION  NOT  MEANT  FOR  FEDERAL  EARS 

A    YANKEE    DESERTER A    CHANGE     OF 

BASE  AND  A  CHANGE  OP  CHARACTER. 

Punctual  to  the  hour  of  ten,  on  the  suc- 
ceeding morning,  I  reported  myself  at  head- 
quarters. I  found  the  general  engaged  in 
convefsation  with  his  chief-of-staff,  and  it 
affected  my  nerves  not  a  little  to  find  that  it 
related  to  the  Female  Spy,  who  thus  far  had 
baffled  all  their  efibrts  at  detection.  The 
great  rebel  commander  was  evidently  in  ill- 
humor  ;  he  animadverted  severely  upon  the 


inefficiency  of  the  detective  force,  and  threat- 
ened a  radical  change  in  this  department. 

'  Some  changes,  I  have  no  doubt  could  be 
made  to  advantage,'  said  the  chief-of-staff; 
'  but  as  a  whole  we  have  regarded  them  as 
an  efficient  body  of  men,  zealous  and  loyal, 
and  generally  successful.' 

'  And  yet  the  most  important  piece  of 
work  they  had  to  do  has  been  a  paifoct  fail- 
ure,' replied  the  general.  '  I  find  that  all 
our  plans  are  as  well  known  to  tlie  federal 
commander  as  they  are  to  ourselves.  He 
knows  our  weak  points  and  our  strong  ones  ; 
and  I  have  no  doubt  that  he  has  an  accurate 
estimate  of  our  inadequate  supplies  of  war 
munitions,  and  the  number  of  days'  subsist- 
ance  that  we  have  in  our  store-housea.  All 
our  attempts  to  get  additional  supplies  and 
additional  troops  into  the  city  have  been 
frustrated  by  the  knowledge  and  vigilance 
of  our  enemies. 

Until  the  spy  came  into  our  midst,  every- 
thing went  along  satisfactorily  ;  now  we  ap- 
pear to  be  baffled  in  every  movement  we  at- 
tempt. If  matters  progress  this  way  much 
longer,  our  surrender  must  become  inev- 
itable. 

'  I  think  we  need  be  under  no  further  ap- 
prehension from  this  mischievous  spy,'  re- 
marked the  staff-officer  ;  '  for  it  is  clearly 
evident  to  my  mind  that  she  has  effected  ker 
escape  through  our  lines,  and  taken  her  bud- 
get of  intelligence  with  her. ' 

'  I  am  not  so  clear  on  that,'  resumed  the 
general ;  '  at  all  events,  if  such  is  tlie  fact, 
the  detectives  should  not  in  any  degree  relax 
their  efforts.' 

At  this  point  in  the  conversation,  an 
orderly  appeared,  and  placed  a  despjtch  in 
the  hands  of  the  commander,  who  broke  the 
seal  at  once  and  perused  its  contents. 

'  It  is  a   note  from  Captain  H -,  an 

officer  on  picket  duty  infer unng  me  that  a 
deserter,  wearing  the  insignia  of  a  major  of 
the  federal  army,  came  into  our  lines  last 
night.' 

'  A  major !  '  ejaoulated  the  chief-of-staff. 


142 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


It  is  not  frequent  that  an  officer  of  so  high 
a  rank  deserts.' 

'  The  letter  further  informs  me,'  resumed 
the  general ;  '  that  he  has  sent  the  said  de- 
serter, under  escort,  to  the  provost^marshal's 
headquarters  for  examination.  Captain  H. 
has  acted  prudently.  The  deserter  shall  be 
most  thoroughly  examined  ;  for  who  knows 
but  he,  too,  is  a  spy  ?  If  he  is  not,  he  will 
be  able  to  communicate  to  us  much  informa- 
tion concerning  the  plans  of  the  besiegers. 
Colonel,  you  will  immediately  cause  an  or- 
der 10  be  sent  to  the  provost-marshal  for 
that  officer  to  accompany  in  person  this 
stranger  here  forthwith.  I  am  impatient  to 
hear  what  intelligence  he  brings ;  and  I  de- 
sire your  presence  at  the  interview. ' 

The  chief-of-staff  forthwith  retired,  for  the 
purpose  of  seeing  the  order  duly  executed. 

At  that  time,  I  was  seated  in  a  distant 
part  of  the  room,  apparently  very  intently 
engaged  in  perusing  a  newspaper.  The 
general  turned  towards  me  and  said  : 

'  Captain  Temple,  I  have  no  special  work 
for  you  to-day.  However,  on  second 
thought,  it  is  possible  I  may  require  your 
services  in  the  course  of  the  morning. 
Please  remain  within  call  about  the  quar- 
ters, for  there  is  no  knowing  what  an  hour 
may  bring  forth.  The  countersign  of  the 
day  is— "The  Southern  Cross.'"  The 
latter  he  gave  in  a  whisper. 

I  arose  and  signified  that  I  should  be  in 
readiness  to  perform  any  duty,  and  retired 
from  his  presence. 

I  walked  up  and  down  the  hall  a  few 
times,  ruminating  upon  what  I  had  heard. 
]My  curiosity  was  greatly  excited  to  know 
who  this  deserter  could  be ;  and  knowing 
that  he  must  pass  through  the  hall,  I  should 
be  enabled  to  see  him  and  perhaps  recog- 
nise   him.     A  major  I     What  if  he  should 

turn  out  to  be .  I  did  not  stop  to  think 

further,  for  I  must  not  be  recognized  by 
him — and  stepped  out  of  the  hall  into  a 
small  apartment,  the  window  of  which  over- 


looked the  court-yard,  through  wliich  visi- 
tors usually  passed  on  coming  and  going. 

The  couit-yard  was  now  quite  clear,  and 
with  the  exception  of  the  arrival  or  depart- 
ure of  an  occasional  officer,  there  was  noth- 
ing to  attract  my  attention  or  obstruct  the 
view  interveninnr  between  the  grand  entrance 
and  the  building. 

Presently  a  carriage  suddenly  caraQ  dash- 
ing througli  the  gate,  and  drew  up  directly 
beneath  the  window  where  I  stood. 

The  first  to  alight  was  one  of  the  gener- 
al's aids,  and  after  him  the  provost-marshal. 
Then  an  obese  figure,  clad  in  the  uniform  of 
a  federal  officer,  holding  his  head  as  if  he 
were  ashamed  of  his  blue  habihments.  '  Oh, 
my  prophetic  soul  I  '  I  required  but  one 
glance  at  his  features  to  satisfy  all  my  curi- 
osity— the  deserter  was  Major  Jenefer  ! 

Here  was  a  dilemma.  To  meet  him  face 
to  face — to  be  recognized,  to  be  denounce<l 
by  him — could  not  but  result  in  my  detec- 
tion. I  weighed  all  the  possibilities  and 
probabilities.  I  had  but  recently  come  from 
the  federal  lines,  and  the  general  might 
summon  me  to  take  notes  of  the  interview, 
or,  perchance  to  ascertain  if  I  had  recognized 
him  while  at  the  federal  head-^j^uarters.  He 
would  of  course  relate  the  adventure  which 
brousrht  him  into  disgrace  with  the  federal 
commander, — and  what  then?  I  did  not 
stop  to  discuss  the  matter  further  with  my- 
self, but  I  darted  out  of  this  room,  and 
quickly  availed  myself  of  the  secret  passage. 
3Iy  egress  was  easy,  and  I  was  once  more 
in  the  street,  making  my  way  with  all  pos- 
sible despatch  towards  my  own  private  quar- 
ters, which  I  must  quickly  exchange  for 
others. 

On  arriving  there,  I  found  a  note,  evi- 
dently in  a  lady's  hand  writing,  lying  on  my 
table.  I  broke  the  seal,  and  took  therefrom 
a  valuable  diamond  ring,  and  read  as  fol- 
lows; 

'  Accept  this  as  a  token  of  the  ailectionate 
regai-d  of  M.  M.  May  God  protect  and 
preserve  you.' 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


143 


I  placed  the  ring  upon  my  finger,  and 
summoning  my  excellent  coadjutor  and  faith- 
ful friend,  IMadame  Ramsey,  I  informed  her 
that  I  must  immediately  change  my  costume 
and  also  my  quarters.  I  explained  briefly 
the  imminent  .danger  in  which  I  stood,  and 
the  pressing  necessity  for  carrying  out  these 
sudden  copclusions  of  mine. 

She  readily  comprehended  the  situation, 
and  bade  me  be  ready  in  five  minutes  to  ac- 
company her.  I  gathered  up  such  of  my 
papers  as  would  be  useful  to  me ;  and  de- 
stroying others,  I  left  my  room  and  rejoined 
Madame  Ramsey  in  the  hall  below.  She 
had  donned  a  bonnet  and  shawl,  and  was 
ready  to  depart — whither  I  knew  not. 

'  Go  not  with  me,'  said  she  ;  '  but  where- 
ever  I  go,  follow ;  but  at  such  a  distance  in 
the  rear  as  may  not  attract  attention,  and 
not  so  far  as  to  make  it  possible  to  lose  sight 
of  me.' 

I  nodded  an  assent,  and  she  opened  a 
door  at  the  rear  of  the  house,  and  after 
crossing  a  garden,  gained  egress  into  a  nar- 
row lane,  which  led  towards  the  Vicksburg 
and  Brandon  railway  station.  I  followed 
on  as  directed,  and  after  crossing  the  rail- 
way, and  ascending  the  hill"  beyond,  she 
turned  into  a  street  which  seemed  to  be  al- 
most, if  not  entirely  depopulated,  where  the 
few  houses  which  had  escaped  a  severe  con- 
flagration in  that  quarter,  were  actually  rid- 
dled with  heavy  shot  and  shell. 

At  this  time  there  was  not  visible  a  per- 
son in  this  street  besides  my  indefatigable 
guide  and  myself.  At  length  she  stopped, 
opened  a  gate  of  a  once  tenantable  house, 
descended  some  steps  leading  to  the  base- 
ment, unlocked  the  door  and  entered.  In 
less  than  two  minutes  afterwards  I,  too,  de- 
scended those  same  steps,  and  in  the  base- 
ment found  Madame  Ramsey  awaiting  my 
appearance. 

'  I  could  think  of  nothing  better  to  be 
djone  than  to  bring  you  hither, — a  part  of  the 
city  which  is  entirely  deserted,'  said  she; 
'  and,  indeed,  it  is  considered  so  dangerous, 


— being  within  range  of  the  federal  fleet — 
that  but  few  persons  venture  here  now. 
There  is  scarcely  a  room  in  the  house,  above 
this  basement  floor,  that  is  habitable  ;  but  it 
must  answer  for  your  place  of  refuge,  until 
something  better  can  be  devised.' 

On  my  way  hither  I  had  made  up  my 
mind  to  assume  another  character,  providing 
a  disguise  could  be  obtained. 

'  I  cannot  remain  long  here  in  this  lone- 
some place,'  said  I,  in  reply;  'hitherto  I 
owe  my  safety  more  to  boldly  mixing  with 
those  who  would  gladly  expose  me,  than  in 
attempting  to  conceal  myself;  besides,  it  is 
essential  to  the  grand  object  of  my  mission 
to  be  among  those  from  whom  information 
can  be  obtained.' 

'  What  do  you  propose  ? '  asked  Madame 
Ramsey. 

'  I  have  thought  of  personating  a  country 
lad, — a  verdant  youth^ —  and  enlist  forth- 
with in  the  rebel  army. ' 

'  You  will  find  it  a  rough  and  unpleasant 
position.' 

'  It  is  my  only  alternative.  A  coarse, 
home-spun  suit,  a  straw  hat,  and  a  wig,  are 
what  I  require,  and  the  rest  I  think  I  can 
readily  make  up.' 

'  It  shall  be  procured  at  once,'  replied 
Madame  Ramsey.  '  But,'  added  she,  hesi- 
tatingly, '  how  do  you  expect  to  undergo  the 
examination  of  a  raw  recruit  ?  ' 

'  Unless  the  rebel  recruiting  officers  are 
more  particular  than  those  of  the  West,  I 
shall  have  but  little  to  fear  on  that  score. 
Physical  examinations  are  "  more  honored  in 
the  breach  than  the  observance,"  and  I 
doubt  not  that  the  rebels  are  too  much  in 
need  of  soldiers  to  seek  for  defects  which 
might  lose  them  a  recruit.  Besides,  there 
are  women  in  the  ranks  of  the  federals  whose 
sex  have  never  been  discovered.' 

The  query  of  my  kind  auxiliary  was  cer- 
tainly a  startling  one,  but  my  reply  seemed 
to  quiet  her  apprehensions. 

Accordingly,  after  enjoining  upon  me  un- 
der no  ordinary  circumstances  to  show  my- 


144 


VIRGINIA   GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


self  outside  of  the  premises,  and  to  keep  the 
door  bolted  on  the  inside,  she  departed  on 
her  errand. 

To  remain  alone  in  a  deserted  house  for 
even  a  brief  period  was  by  no  means  agree- 
able to  my  feelings ;  but  contrasted  with  the 
cell  of  a  prison  or  a  guard-house,  it  was  in- 
finitely to  be  preferred.  I  employed  the 
first  half  hour  of  my  voluntary  imprisonment 
in  visiting  the  various  rooms  of  the  house, 
from  the  basement  to  the  attic.  It  was  a 
mansion  of  no  mean  pretensions,  but  in  its 
present  state  it  seemed  gloomy  enough  for 
the  dwelling  of  a  hermit.  The  furniture, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  ricketty  old 
chairs  and  a  broken  table,  had  been  re- 
moved. Its  last  occupants  had  apparently 
been  obliged  to  leave  it  so  hurriedly,  that 
they  could  not  spare  the  time  necessary  to 
put  it  in  a  cleanly  condition. 

The  next  hour  I  employed  in  looking  over 
and  arranging  the  papers  that  I  had  hastily 
gathered  together  at  my  late  quarters,  and 
adding  some  notes  with  a  pencil,  touching 
the  appearance  of  Major  Jenefer  at  the  head- 
quarters of  the  rebel  general,  and  other  mat- 
ters of  less  note, — all  of  which  being  inten- 
ded  for  the  officer  whom  I  really  served. 

I  had  scarcely  finished  when  I  heard  the 
well-known  tap  of  Madame  Ramsey  at  the 
basement  door.  I  hurried  down,  and  in  a 
moment  more  she  had  entered,  and  produced 
a  parcel  of  clothing,  which  she  unfolded  to 
my  \iew.  She  likewise  had  been  consider- 
ate enough  to  bring  me  some  refreshment, 
which  she  knew  I  must  need,  although  I  had 
not  given  the  matter  of  food  a  single  thought 
since  I  had  eaten  my  breakfast,  a  period  of 
between  eight  and  nine  hours. 

Before  eating,  however,  I  retired  to  a 
chamber,  where  I  quickly  metamorphosed 
myself  from  a  dashing  young  staif-officer  in- 
to a  verdant  looking  plough-boy,  of  some 
seventeen  or  eighteen  years  of  age,  with  a 
pair  of  eyes  that  had  never  been  injured  at 
Bull  Run,  and  a  knotted  red  wis,  which 
looked  as  if  it  had  dene  much  good  service 


upon  the  caput  of  some  *  mad  wag  '  of  the 
'sock  and  buskin.'  A  pair  of  hob-nailed 
shoes  and  a  browned  straw  hat,  rather  the 
worse  for  wear,  together  with  a  pair  of  tow 
breeches  and  a  blue  jean  frock  or  blouse, 
made  up  my  unique  costume. 

'  How  do  you  like,  my  appearance  ?  '  said ' 
I  to  Mrs.  Ramsey^  assiiming  an  attitude 
that  could  not  be  regarded  as  a  model  of 
grace. 

'  'Pon  my  word,  I'd  take  my  Bible  oath 
that  I  never  saw  you  before  in  my  life  ;  and 
yet  I  have  seen  on  market  days,  in  this  city, 
boys  that  looked  very  much  like  you,'  she 
replied.  '  You  needn't  fear  that  anybody 
has  eyes  keen  enough  to  penetrate  that  dis- 
guise. If  the  recruiting  officers  aint  too 
particular,  your  real  character  won't  be  sus- 
pected.' 

'  Depend  upon  it,  Madame,  they  will  be 
glad  enough  to  get  a  healthy  looking  recruit 
like  myself;  and  they'll  urge  me  to  enroll 
my  name  without  a  question.' 

'  And  what  then  ?  ' 

'  Why,  I  shall  be  put  into  the  awkward 
squad  of  course,  for  drill,  when  I  shan't 
know  my  right  foot  from  my  left,  nor  two 
paces  to  the  front  from  two  paces  to  the 
rear,  until  I  am  taught.  Oh,  I  shall  put 
the  drill-sergeant's  patience  to  the  test,  you 
may  be  well  assured,  but  I  will  report  to 
you  from  time  to  time  as  favorable  opportu- 
nities may  offer.' 

At  length,  Mrs.  Ramsey  left  me,  with  the 
understanding  that  I  was  to  keep  the  key 
of  the  deserted  house,  to  use  in  case  of  an 
emergency,  and  by  no  means  to  visit  her 
house  except  at  night. 

To  avoid  the  possibility  of  compromising 
her  with  me — ^in  case  I  should  be  discovered 
— I  tarried  in  my  house  of  refuge  until  she 
must  have  disappeared  from  the  street. 
Then  I  went  forth  resolutely,  and  feeling 
confident  that  there  were  ninety-nine  chances 
out  of  a  hundred  that  I  should  not  be  rec- 
ognized, even  by  those  who  had  known  me 
as  Capt.  Temple  of  General  P 's  staff. 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


145 


•  I  sauntered  •  through  the  streets  like  any 
.country,  bumpkin,  or  flat-boat  boy,  gazing 
into  the  thop  windows  and  reading  the 
■fcigns  ;  and  it  did  not  anger  rae  in  the  least 
when  I  met  two  Vicksbui:g  belles,  who  ob- 
served me  as  I  passed,  and  then  hearing  one 
say.  to  the  other, ,'  There  goes  a  greeny  ! ' 
and  a.^mcrry  laugh  followed.  It  was  not 
V^ery  polite  in  them,  but  I  suppose  they 
couldn't  help  it.  « 

Soon  afterward  I  met  several  officers 
whom  I  had  seen  at  head-quarters,  but  they 
took  no  notice  of  me  whatever. 

Presently  I  came  to  a  provision  store — a 
small  establishment  for  retailing  meats  and 
vegetables.  There  was  a  placard  in  the 
window  which  said — '  Boy  wanted.' 

The  proprietor  eyed  me  with  some  inter- 
est, and  then  came  to  the  door,  and  asked 
me  if  I  would  like  the  situation. 

'  That  be'z  'cordin  to  the  work  and  the 
Vvages,'  I  replied,  a  sudden  thought  occur- 
ring to  me  that  to  accept  the  proffered  place 
weuld  be  the  most  discreet  thing  I  could  do. 

'  Are  you  much  acquainted  with  the 
streets  of  the  city  ?  ' 

'  I  reckon  I  be'z.' 

'  Shouldn't  wonder  if  you'd  do,  my  lad,' 
replied  the  huckster.  '  I  want  a  boy  to  run 
errands  in  the  mornin',  tend  shop  in  the 
forenoon,  and  in  the  afternoon  his  time's  his 
own.'       ' 

'  That  be'z  not  much  to  lam.  How  much 
wages  will  I  be  gittin  ?  ' 

'  Thirty  dollars  a  month, — in  good  con- 
fed'rit  money.' 

'  I'd  make  more  by  'listin',  and  go  a 
sogciin.  I  hearn  that  they  give  orful  big 
bounties  now.' 

'.Precious  lictle  bounty  they'll  give  a  boy 
o'  your  years.  Besides,  you'll  stand  a  good 
chance  of  getting  an  ounce  of  Yank  lead  in 
yer  hide.' 

'  That's  what  I  be'z  'fraid  on.  Now,  if 
you'd  gin  me,  say  thirty-five  dollars  a 
month,  I'll  go  into  your  sarvice  and  make  a 
trial  on't.     Can't  go  for  less,  coz  confed'rit 


money,  I  hearn  tell,  ain't  wuth  more'u  half 
price.' 

'  It's  good  as  gold,  every  rag  of  it ;  but 
I'm  so  much  in  need  of  a  sprightly  boy  to 
do  my  chores,  that  I'll  accept  your  offer  and  . 
call  it  thirty-five,  and  you  may  come  to- 
morrow morning.' 

'  Can  I  leave  if  I  duzn't  like  the  busi- 
ness ?  " 

'  Certainly,  and  if  you  don't  suit  me  I 
shall  claim  the  right  to  discharge  you  with- 
out notice.' 

'  That  be'z  fair,  and  I'll  come  bright  and; 
airly.  But  I  shall  have  to  gin  up  my  old. 
boardin'  house  way  down  to  the  end  of  the.- 
town,  and  get  one  right  nigh  here.' 

'  There's  a  good  and  cheap  place  a  few 
doors  from  here,  kept  by  a  good,  honest 
Dutchman.  Como  with  me,  and  I'll  speak 
a  good  word  for  yer,  for  you  look  like  an 
honest  boy. ' 

'  Oh,  I  be'z  honest,  sir.' 

The  huckster  closed  the  door,  turned  the 
key,  and  bade  me  follow  him. 

'  By  the  bye,  you  haven't  told  me  your 
name.' 

'  Reuben.' 

'  Is  that  your  whole  name  ?  ' 

'  Jest  one  third  on't.  My  name's  Reu- 
ben Robert  Randle.  Sometimes  I'm  called 
Reub  and  sometimes  Bob — I  doesn't  mind 
much  which.' 

This  was  satisfactory  to  my  new  em- 
ployer, and  he  asked  me  no  more  questions. 
I  followed  him  into  a  small  Dutch  inn, 
where  he  made  my  errafld  known  to  the- 
landlord,  and  after  a  little  bantering,  the 
price  of  my  board  and  lodging  was  fixed  at 
six  dollars  a  week,  in  advance. 

Having- first  ascertained  that  I  could  have 
a  decently  clean  room  to  lodge  in,  I  took  a 
receipted  bill  from  mine  host  for  one  week's 
board,  paying  for  the  same  in  confederate 
notes. 

The  remainder  of  that  day  and  evening  I 
spent  in  my  new  quarters,  making  up  a  de- 
spatch in  cipher,  to  be  forwarded  to  the  be- 


146 


VIRGINIA     GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


sieging  coniinander  by  any  possible  expedi- 
ent that  might  suggest  itself  to  :ny  mind. 

On  the  following  raorning  I  entered  upon 
my  duties  ut  the  hucksters.  During  the 
early  houi's  he  had  a  great  many  customers, 
the  poorer  of  which  carried  away  their  pur- 
chases, while  the  gentry  depended  u|X)U  hav- 
ing their  baskets  of  provisions  left  at  their 
several  residences. 

By  ten  o'clock  there  was  quite  a  formida- 
able  array  of  baskets,  each  and  all  of  which 
it  was  expected  that  I  was  to  deliver,  ac- 
cording to  the  direction  given  on  the  label. 

I  had  devoted  myself  so  vigorously  to  the 
interests  of  my  employer,  that  I  had  really 
some  need  of  rest  before  commencing  the 
most  important  part  of  my  duties.  How- 
ever, as  most  of  his  customers  lived  but 
short  distances  from  the  shop,  I  sat  about 
the  task  with  most  commendable  zeal,  and 
by  twelve  o'clock,  only  two  or  three  baskets 
remained.  Of  these  one  was  addressed  to 
Madame  Crawford,  No. — , street. 

I  left  this  for  the  last ;  in  the  meantime 
debating  in  my  mind  whether  I  would  deliv- 
er it  myself  or  hire  some  boy  to  perform  the 
task  for  me. 

I  finally  boldly  decided  upon  the  former, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  afterwards  I  was  trudg- 
ing slowly  towards  that  mansion,  where  I 
had  been  so  generously  entertained,  and 
where  I  had  spent  one  night  at  least  in  pain- 
ful anxiety.  On  reaching  the  door  I  met 
the  familiar  face  of  Chloo,  who  gazed  at  me 
v\-ith  an  expression  of  surprise. 

'  Lor  bress  us  !  Massa  Plumer  hab  got 
.a  new  boy  !  '  she  exclaimed.  '  Dat  I  spose 
am  de  raison  why  de  purvisions  didn't  cum 
ufo'.  I  shuahly  tought  we'd  hab  no  dinner 
to  cook  to-day.' 

'  I  cura'd  as  quick  as  I  could  ;  but  I  be'z 
orful  tired,'  was  my  answer,  drawing  a  long, 
heavy  breath. 

'  Poo'  child  ;  sot  yousef  right  down  wile 
ole  Chloe  empties  de  basket ;  an'  I'll  be  as 
long  as  pos'ibly  can  'bout  t,'  said  she,  good- 


naturedly.  '  We  shan't  hal)  dinner  till  late 
dis  day,  becase  we  got  comp'ny.' 

'  That  be'z  what  I  thought.' 

'  IIow  did  you  cum  to  tiuk  dat  ?  ' 

'  Whoy,  the  basket  be  so  much  more 
hefty  than  any  I've  carried  yet.' 

'  Poo'  chile.  It  am  fort'nate  dat  de  ress 
were  lighter.  You  muss  li'lonti;  to  sum  ob 
de  poo'  wite  fooks,  wot  don't  hal)  no  mass  i 
nor  missuses  to  look  arterdem,  and  gib  dem 
plenty  ob  wittles  and  close.' 

'  You  see  I  be  workin'  for  a  livin'. 

'  Poo'  chile.  Wite  fooks  down  lieah  aint 
fit  to  work  for  a  livin'.  Wy  don't  you 'go 
list  for  a  soger?  you  am  moss  big  enuff,' 
she  suggested. 

'  I  duzn't  keer  to  be  shot  with  a  Yankee 
bullet,'  I  answered. 

'  Wal,  I  tink  if  I  was  one  ob'  dem  poo' 
wite  fooks  I  shouldn't  keer  much  if  I  war 
shot  wid  any  kine  of  a  bullet.  I  rader  be 
shot  dan  starve  to  deff.  Now,  if  you  war 
ony  a  culud  boy,  an'  had  a  good  massa  an' 
missus,  how  much  better  you'd  be  oft'  in  de 
world.' 

'  And  be  a  slave  ?  ' 

'  Am  you  any  better  dan  a  slabe  now  ? 
You  hab  got  a  massa  now,  an'  you  am  doing 
de  work  ob  a  slabe.' 

'  I  can  leave  him  when  I  be'z  a  mind  to.' 

'  Dat's  de  pint.  Dat's  wot's  de  matter. 
When  you  go  way  from  him  you  muss  get 
anoder  massa  or  starve  to  deff.  You  am 
neber  satisfied  wid  de  same  massa  but  a  lit- 
tle wile  at  a  time,  an'  you  lose  a  good  deal 
ob  time  runnin'  arter  new  massas.  Now  de 
slabe  hab  one  massa,  an'  he  can't  leabe  him, 
so  he  lams  to  be  content,  an'  if  he  behabe 
hesef,  he  hab  eberyting  he  needs  to  hab  to 
make  dis  life  cumfut'ble. ' 

It  was  useless  to  combat  Chloe 's  singular 
reasoning ;  but  for  all  her  attempts  to  de- 
fend the  peculiar  institution  which  held  her 
in  bondi'^-e,  I  before  had  good  reasons  for 
believing  that  underlying  her  expressed 
views,  her  deepest  sympathies  were  with 
those  who  were  attempting  to  emancipate 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND   ARMY. 


147 


h:'r  race  from  the  condition  wliich  she  seem 
ed  ST  remarkably  ■well  satisfied  with. 

I  now  received  from  her  hands  the  empty 
basket,  and  tlianking  her  for  allowing  me 
to  rest  my.«erf  in  her  kitchen,  where  she 
reigned  supreme,  I  took  my  leave. 

On  gaining  the  street,  I  met  the  gaze  of 
Miss  Marland,  who  was  seated  at  the  open 
window  :  and  although  I  purposely  permitr 
ted  her  to  have  a  good  view  of  my  physiog- 
nomy, I  saw  not  the  slightest  indication  of 
recognition  on  her  beautiful  countenance. 

'  You  have  done  so  well,  young  man,  to 
begin  with,  that  the  rest  of  the  day  is  yours,' 
said  my  employer,  as  I  laid  down  the  last 
empty  basket. 

'I  be'z  very  much  obleeged  to  you,  sir,' 
said  I. 

'Well,  how  d'ye  like  your  work? ' 

'  I  be'z  very  tired.' 

'  It'll  come  easier  you  get  used  to't. ' 

I  immediately  repaired  to  my  new  lodg- 
ings, and  after  resting  my  weary  body  upon 
a  lounge,  I  partook  of  a  hearty  dinner,  and 
then  sauntered  out  on  a  tour  of  observation. 

Pursuing  my  rambles  I  arrived  at  a  small 
square,  on  one  side  of  which  was  a  recruit- 
ing office,  and  directly  in  front  a  squad  of 
raw  recruits  going  through  their  first  exer- 
cises in  marching,  countermarching,  and 
other  movements,  without  arms. 

I  seated  myself  upon  a  rude  bench,  as  if 
interested  in  their  awkward  movements. 

Presently  a  recruiting  sergeant,  who,  I 
perceived,  noticed  me  from  the  first,  ap- 
proached me  and  said,  in  very  respectful 
terms, — 

'  Well,  my  lad,  how  would  you  like  to  be 
a  soldier  ?  ' 

'  I  be'z  going  to  be  one  when  I  gets  old 
enough,'  I  replied. 

'  Why,  you're  old  enough  to  be  one  now. 
What  do  you  do  for  a  living  ? ' 

'  I  duz  the  errands  for  a  provision  shop, 
where  I  gits  six  dollars  a  week.' 

'  That's  nothing.  If  you  will  enlist,  you 
will  get  twenty  dollars  a  month,  beside  your 


rations,  and  a  bounty  of  two  hundred  dol- 
lars, cash  down,  in  good  confederate  money.' 

'  Wlien  duz  you  want  me  to  list  ?  ' 

'  Any  time — now,  if  you  like  ;  to-morrow, 
or  next  day.' 

'  By  jings  !  I  be'z  almost  a  mind  to. 
Duz  you  think  I'm  strong  and  healthy 
enough  to  be  a  soldier  ?  ' 

'You're  the  very  picture  of  health.' 

'  But  I  hevn't  got  no  soldier  clothes.' 

'  Oh,  but  we  shall  give  you  a  new,  hand- 
some uniform  as  soon  as  you  enlist.' 

'  That's  gin'rus,  by  jings  !  I'll  go  right 
down  and  tell  Mr.  Plumer  that  he  must  get 
another  boy  to  carry  his  baskets  for  him ; 
and  'fore  to-morrow  at  this  time  I'll  be  here. 
But  you'll  hev  the  bounty  money  and  soldier 
clothes  ready  for  me,  won't  yer  ?  ' 

'  You  may  rely  upon  them.' 

'  Then  I'm  your — man.' 

After  a  few  more  questions  and  answers 
had  passed  between  us,  I  left  the  recruiting 
station,  and  wended  my  way  back,  fully  re- 
solved that  to  enlist  in  the  rebel  army  was 
the  safest  course  I  could  follow. 

On  the  next  mornino;  I  was  a^ain  at 
the  huckster's  shop,  when  I  informed  Mr. 
Plumer  that  I  had  resolved  to  enlist  in  the 
army.  He  appeared  not  at  all  surprised, 
but  regretted  that  he  was  to  lose  me,  paying 
me,  at  the  same  time  a  very  flattering  com- 
pliment for  the  manner  in  which  I  had  exe- 
cuted the  duties  of  my  place  on  the  day  be- 
fore. I  reciprocated  his  kind  words  by 
offering  to  carry  the  baskets  on  that  day, 
and  that,  as  I  was  going  away  before  my 
first  week  had  expired,  I  should  take  no  p;  y 
for  what  I  had  done. 

He  accepted  my  services,  and  I  once  moie 
went  the  rounds  of  his  customers  most  dili- 
gently and  faithfully.  He  offered  me  two 
dollars  for  my  work,  but  I  told  him  I  should 
rather  leave  him  with  his  good  opinion  than 
with  a  whole  week's  wages.  He  bade  me, 
whenever  I  desired  a  favor,  to  make  applica- 
tion to  him,  for  I  had  acted  like  a  good, 
honest  boy. 


148 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


At  the  hour  agreed  upon  I  made  my  ap- 
pearance at  the  recruiting  office,  ^he  ser- 
geant seemed  highly  pleased  to  see  me, 
when  he,  -without  delay,  took  me  before  the 
principal  officer  of  the  station,  where  the  en- 
listment papers  were  readily  made  out,  which 
I  signed,  and  received  in  return  the  bounty 
money  and  a  month's  pay  in  advance.  I 
was  then  taken  into  a  store-room,  and  re- 
quested to  select  a  uniform  that  would  fit 
Die.  This  I  did  without  any  one's  assist- 
ance, and  soon  exchanged  my  comparatively 
coarse  garments  for  a  complete  private's  uni- 
form of  the  army  of  the  C.  S.  A.  I  then 
examined  myself  in  a  glass,  not  so  much  for 
the  purpose  of  seeing  how  much  my  looks 
were  improved  by  the  change,  but  to  satisfy 
myself  that  I  did  not  in  any  manner  resemble 
any  other  character  than  that  I  had  assumed, 
except  that  of  the  huckster  boy.  I  saw  no 
reason  to  be  dissatisfied  wi.h  my  new  exte- 
rior, and  received  the  congratulations  of  the 
sergeant  on  my  improved  appearance. 

He  accompanied  me  to  the  barracks  near 
by,  and  requested  me  to  select  any  one  of 
the  vacant  bunks,  to  be  used  exclusively 
by  me  until  I  should  be  assigned  to  some 
regiment ;  and  after  informing  me  that  I 
could  go  whither  I  pleased  until  nine  o'clock, 
that  evening,  he  left  me. 

On  the  following  morning  I  was  put  into 
the  '  awkward  squad '  for  my  first  lessons  in 

the  military  art. 

Of  course  I  appeared  a  perfect  tyro.  My 
toes,  which  turned  in,  had  to  be  turned  out ; 
my  body,  which  inclined  to  stoop,  had  to  be 
Htr:iigl)tcned  up  ;  my  shouldtrs,  protruding 
to  the  front,  had  to  be  turned  back;  my 
head,  which  canted  a  little  one  side,  had  to 
bo  set  squarely  on  my  shoulders. 

Then  I  had  an  awkward  way  of  looking 
to  the  lef^,  when  the  order  was  given  '  eyes 
right,'  and  vice  versa;  then  I  forgot  which 
was  my  right  foot  and  which  was  the  left,  to- 
gether with  other  mistakes,  which  the  drill 
officer  declared,  made  me  about  the  greenest 


subject  for  military  instruction  that  bad  ever 
fallen  into  his  hands. 

Three  times  on  that  day  I  was  called  out 
to  drill,  and  the  same  number  of  times  ou 
the  second.  On  the  third  day  a  musket 
was  put  into  my  bands,  and  I  handled  it 
alx)ut  a.s  awkwardly  as  did  the  man  who  had 
a  fiddle  put  into  his  hands  fur  the  first  tiun. 

I  was  so  afraid  of  dropping  the  breech 
thereof  on  my  tender  toes,  that  I  was  com- 
pelled to  turn  them  in  to  avoid  such  a  dreml 
calamity.  In  fact,  the  heavy  weapon,  in 
going  through  the  manual,  pioduced  ugly 
contortions  of  my  limbs  and  body,  all  of 
which  had  to  be  drilled  out  of  me,  and 
nought  but  graceful  movements  substituted. 

But  I  was  an  apt  scholar,  and  l)y  de- 
grees, became  so  tolerably  well  skilled  in  the 
school  of  the  soldier,  as  to  warrant  my  su- 
perior officer  in  transferring  me  xrom  the 
awkward  squad  to  a  company,  where  I  wns 
fnrther  drilled,  and  finally  transferred  to  a 
regiment  then  doing  duty  at  Fort  Pemberton. 

It  was  the  post  of  all  others  that  I  would 
have  cliosen  for  my  military  experience,  for 
when  I  was  at  the  head-quarters  of  the  gen- 
eral-in-chief  of  the  Federal  forces,  I  had 
access  to  the  diagrams  of  certain  engineering 
operations  which  were  going  on  outside  of 
the  walls  of  Fort  Pemberton,  operations 
which  tlic  general  himis^lf  fully  explained  to 
me  in  explanation  of  the  drawings. 

This  knowledge  aided  me  greatly,  at 
least  on  one  occasion,  which  I  shall  present- 
ly relate. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

THE     SPY     ON     THE     PARAPET VIRGINIA'S 

PERIL SPRINGING    OF    THE    MINE. 

TuE  crisis  was  approaching  ;  the  day  for 
the  final  struggle  for  the  stronghold  of  Vick.s- 
bure:  was  near  at  hand.  For  seven  days  I 
had  now  performed  the  full  duty  of  a  pri- 
vate at  Fort  Pemberton ;  I  had  done  guard 
duty  both  by  night  and  by  day  ;  had  prac- 
tised at  the  deep-mouthed  cannon  on  the 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


149 


parapet;  with  the  long-range  rifle  at  the 
loop-holes  ;  and  I  was  also  instructed  in  the 
duty  of  throwing  hand-grenades. 

During  this  period  I  had  gained  a  half- 
day's  furlough ;  and  I  employed  it  in  visit- 
ing Mrs.  Ramsey,  with  the  hope  of  finding 
in  her  possession  some  new  instructions ; 
but  in  this  I  was  disappointed,  from  which 
I  inferred  that  her  usual  facilities  for  receiv- 
ing information  from  the  other  side  of  the 
lines  had  failed  altogether.  Indeed,  it  was 
inevitable  that  while  I  maintained  the  char- 
acter of  a  spy  in  Vicksburg,  I  must  act  ac- 
cording to  such  circumstances  as  might  pre- 
sent themselves,  and  in  accordance  with  my 
best  judgment. 

After  taking  leave  of  my  hitherto  useful 
auxiliary,  I  directed  my  steps  towards  the 
mansion  of  Mrs.  Crawford,  with  the  hope  of 
again  seeing  Miss  Mar  land,  though  the  peri- 
od of  her  intended  stay  in  the  city  had  already 
expired.  I  had,  before  leaving  my  quarters, 
written  a  brief  note,  which  it  was  my  pur- 
pose to  leave  at  the  door  of  the  mansion  where 
she  was  sojourning,  if  I  found  that  it  was  not 
practicable  to  gain  a  brief  interview  with  her 
alone. 

As  good  luck  would  have  it,  on  approach- 
ing the  house,  I  saw  a  negro  emerge  from  the 
passage-way  and  cross  the  street ;  and  al- 
though it  was  nearly  dark,  I  could  not  mis- 
take in  in  his  person  the  faithful  Cuffee. 
This  fact  convinced  me  that  the  lady  had  not 
yet  taken  her  departure.  I  hurriedly  ascend- 
ed the  steps  and  rang  the  bell,  as  if  I  had 
been  a  common  post-boy  on  his  round. 

The  bell  was  answered  by  a  servant,  to 
whom  I  made  known  the  fact  that  I  had  a 
letter  for  Miss  Marietta  Marland,  which  I 
wished  to  deliver  in  person. 

The  servant  disappeared,  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  lady  herself  came  to  the  door, 
and  looked  slightly  agitated  on  beholding  a 
soldier  wearing  the  uniform  of  a  private. 

'  You  have  a  letter  for  me,'  said  she  in 
timid  accents.  '  It  is  from  my  cousin,  Ma- 
jor Marland,  I  suppose  ?  Step  into  the  hall.' 


'  I  have  a  letter,  but  it  is  not  from  him,' 
said  I,  advancing  across  the  threshold.  '  It 
is  from  Captain  George  Temple,'  I  added,  in 
a  whisper. 

'  He  is  safe,  I  hope  ?  I  she  asked,  in  an  in- 
audible voice. 

'I  assure  you,  by  this  token,  he  is,'  and 
I  held  up  to  her  view  the  sparkling  gem 
which  I  had  received  from  her. 

'  And  in  that  dis 1  see  it  all.     Oh,  I 

am  so  glad  that  nothing  serious  has  befallen 
him  !  Come  into  the  drawing  room — there 
is  no  one  there.' 

'  No,  Miss  Marland, — ^you  must  not  be 
seen  tete-a-tete  with  a  common  soldier.  I 
only  came  to  ask  you  if  either  your  aunt  or 
cousin  know  anything  of  the  history  of  George 
Temple,  or  if  they  suspect  anything  ?' 

*  My  aunt  is  in  happy  ignorance  ;  but  the 
major  has  some  inkling  of  the  matter.  He 
was  here  last  evening,  and  told  me  that  there 
had  been  quite  an  excitement  at  the  general's 
head-quarters  on  account  of  the  sudden  dis- 
appearance of  one  of  the  stafi"-officers, — and 
it  was  suspected  that  he  was  in  reality  the 
Female  Spy  who  had  so  troubled  the  wits  of 
the » provost's  entire  force  to  detect.' 

*  And  they,  I  suppose,  have  no  trace  of 
him?' 

'  Not  the  slightest  clue  had  been  found 
up  to  last  night ;  and  I  have  been  praying 
to  Heaven  that  all  their  efforts  might  prove 
unavailing.  But  oh  !  it  almost  makes  me 
shudder  to  know  that  you  so  boldly  expose 
yourself.' 

'  It  is  by  boldness  that  they  have  so  fre- 
quently been  led  from  the  right  path  of  pur- 
suit.' 

'  And  you  are  now  a  confederate  sol- 
dier? ' 

'  So  it  appears.  From  a  raw  recruit  I 
have  been  drilled  into  quite  an  accomplished 
private  in  the  ranks ;  indeed,  they  have 
made  me  a  corporal,  and  if  I  am  with  them 
a  week  longer,  I  am  sure  of  being  promoted 
to  the  dignity  of  a  sergeant. ' 

'  Your  adventures  are  most  wonderful ; 


150 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,  THE 


but  I  cannot  suppress  a  feeling  of  intense 
anxiety  on  your  account.  Every  hour  I 
have  been  apprehensive  that  I  should  hear 
the  jubilant  cry  from  the  streets — "Arrest 
of  the  Female  Spy  ! '  " 

'  Give  yourself  no  uneasiness,  Miss  Mar- 
land,'  I  replied,  confidently.  '  Farewell ; 
for  my  furlough  expires  at  nine  o'clock,  and 
I  have  yet  a  long  vralk  to  take.' 

'  But  the  letter  ?  ' 

'  Oh,  you  will  not  want  that  now.  I 
have  told  you  all  that  there  was  in  it,  and 
much  more,  I  assure  you.     So,  farewell.' 

We  embraced — kissed,  and  parted,  and 
I  then  started  off  for  Fort  Pemberton,  which 
I  reached  just  before  '  taps  '  were  beaten. 

Nothing  of  importance  occurred  on  the 
following  day  besides  the  usual  routine,  ex- 
cept occasionally  exchanging  rifle  shots,  at 
long  range,  with  the  federal  sharpshooters 
in  the  trenches  ;  and  also  in  throwing  an  oc- 
casional hand-grenade  over  the  parapet  to- 
wards the  innermost  line  of  the  besiegers' 
intrenchraents. 

In  the  evening,  most  of  those  with  whom 
I  messed  had  obtained  a  furlough  for  the 
night ;  the  remainder  were  on  guard  duty, 
so  that  I  was  quite  alone  in  that  part  of  the 
barracks,  which  our  messmates  occupied  in 
common. 

Here  I  found  opportunity  to  devise  a  new 
means  of  conveying  despatches  into  the  en- 
emy's line,  an,d  I  proceeded  at  once  to  put 
it  into  execution. 

I  secured  several  hand-grenades,  and  hav- 
ing charged  one  of  them  in  the  manner 
which  you,  Col.  Manly,  have  some  knowl- 
edge of,  I  secreted  it  beneath  the  bunk  I 
occupied,  to  be  used  only  when  a  favorable 
opportunity  should  occur. 

On  the  second  day  subsequent  to  my 
visit  to  the  city,  there  was  considerable  ac- 
tivity among  the  sharpshooters  at  the  loop- 
holes of  the  fort;  and  from  the  parapets 
several  were  engaged  in  hurling  hand-gren- 
ades therefrom,  which,  rolling  down  the 
bank  would  frequently  explode  in  dangerous 


proximity   to    the  federal   sharpshooters  in 
their  intrenchnients. 

Having  access  to  a  field  glass  of  one  of 
the  oilicers,  I  used  it  from  so  favorable  a 
location  that  I  could  occasionally  get  a 
glimpse  of  the  heads  of  the  federal  sharp- 
shooters, as  they  would  be  raised  up  for  a 
moment,  to  obtain  a  shot  at  the  soldiers  on 
the  parapet,  whenever  they  exposed  them- 
selves to  hurl  their  lighted  grenades. 

While  thus  intently  gazing  through  the 
gla.ss,  I  di.stinctly  saw  a  tall  rifleman  leap 
from  out  the  entrenchment  and  mount  an 
embankment  and  throw  himself  upon  the 
earth.  I  then  saw  a  grenade  whiz  through 
the  air  towards  him,  but  it  burst  too  far 
above  him  to  do  him  tlie  slighest  injury. 
Another  rebel  boldly  mounted  the  parapet, 
and  the  blazing  meteor  was  about  being 
hurled  from  his  hand,  when  he  was  shot 
through  the  heart  by  a  bullet  fired  by  the 
tall  rifleman.  Another  moment,  and  the 
grenade  exploded  in  his  hand,  and  wounded 
two  or  three  others  standing  near  by. 

I  then  saw  this  daring  rifleman  leap  to 
his  feet  and  rush  further  up  the  embank- 
ment, and  gain  possession  of  a  large  rock 
which  lay  imbedded  between  the  fort  and  the 
ditch  he  had  left,  and  actually  use  it  as  a 
cover  while  performing  his  deadly  work. 
But  while  performing  this  hazardous  feat,  he 
was  greeted  with  a  shower  of  bullets  and 
grenades,  besides  the  contents  of  a  casemate 
gun.  I,  of  course,  anticipated  seeing  hira 
roll  down  the  embankment  a  corpse,  but  an 
occasional  puff  of  smoke  convinced  me  that 
he  had  suffered  no  disabling  injury. 

The  face  and  figure  of  that  bold  man 
were  familiar  to  me,  and  after  a  few  mo- 
ments' thought,  I  said  to  myself,  '  That's 
Zeke  Longrange,  the  Michigan  sharpshooter.' 

The  sight  of  him  was  suggestive  of  a  plan 
I  had  already  matured.  I  hastened  from 
the  parapet  to  the  casemates  below,  and 
thence  wended  my  way  so  as  to  be  the  least 
observed,  to  my  quarters  at  the  barracks. 
They  were  at  this  hour  completely  deserted. 


SPY    OF  THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


151 


I  secured  two  grenades — one  of  which  being 
the  one  that  I  had  prepared  for  the  convey- 
ance of  my  mail,  and  the  other  not  having 
been  tampered  with. 

I  bore  them  to  the  parapet,  and  select- 
ing a  favorable  point  nearest  the  federal 
sharpshooter,  lighted  one  of  the  grenades, 
and  sent  it  whizzing  over  the  embankment, 
but  wide  of  any  mark  that  could  do  any 
injury. 

'  Hyar,  young  man,  be  keerful  how  yer 
'spose  yerself,  or  yer'll  get  a  button-hole 
through  yer  jacket !'  exclaimed  a  veteran 
eoldiei^^who  was  standing  near  me. 

'  I'm  bulletrproof,'  I  answered,  as  I  light- 
ed the  fuse  of  my  iron  mail-pot,  and  deliber- 
ately stood  on  the  most  exposed  part  of  the 
parapet  for  several  seconds,  and  then  hurled 
the  bogus  projectile  directly  towards  the 
Michigan  sharpshooter.  I  saw  it  strike  the 
earth  within  a  ramrod's  length  of  this  brave 
man,  and  then  obeyed  the  loud  warnings  of 
a  dozen  rebels  not  to  make  myself  a  target 
for  the  Yankees. 

I  could  distinctly  perceive  the  harmless 
projectile  I  had  thrown  without  the  aid  of  a 
glass.  A  few  minutes  later  I  saw  it  drawn 
towards  the  sharpshooter  with  what  I  sup- 
posed to  be  the  rammer  of  his  rifle.  He  had 
gained  possession  of  it,  and  I  felt  that  it  was 
in  safe  hands.     Its  fate  you  aU  know. 

In  some  manner  unknown  to  me, — per- 
haps it  was  mere  conjecture — the  rebels  had 
gained  knowledge  of  the  mining  operations 
which  I  knew  were  progressing  towards  Fort 
Pemberton.  Tbey  were,  accordingly,  coun- 
teriiining,  but  in  a  direction  which  I  knew 
could  effect  but  little ;  and  if  they  contin- 
ued it  for  a  day  or  two  longer,  it  would 
prove  but  a  human  hecatomb  for  all  who 
were  engaged  in  the  work. 

The  second  of  July, — in  the  morning — 
after  a  brisk  cannonading  between  the  fleet 
in  the  river  and  the  batteries  that  had  range 
of  any  of  the  vessels,  the  mine  was  sprung. 
A  terrible,  rumbling  noise, — protracted  for 
a  few  seconds  like  that  of  an  earthquake, — 
shook  the  very  earth  beneath  the  feet  of  all 


dwellers  in  that  city ;  and  simultaneously  a 
heavy  mass  of  earth  was  hurled  high  in  the 
air,  followed  by  dense  columns  of  smoke 
which  could  only  be  compared  to  the  break- 
ing forth  of  a  volcano  through  a  thick  crust 
of  earth  and  stone. 

A  large  section  of  the  defences  of  Fort 
Pemberton  was  in  riiins  ! 

At  the  time  the  catastrophe  occurred,  the 
regiment  to  which  I  was  attached  was  going 
through  the  evolutions  of  dress  parade.  For 
a  few  moments  it  seemed  as  if  officers  and 
men  were  completely  paralyzed.  The  ranks 
were  broken,  and  discipline  was  at  an  end. 

Then  came  the  alarm — 

'  The  Yanks  are  coming  !  the  Yanks  are 
coming !  The  fort  and  city  are  to  be  car- 
ried by  assault  I ' 

The  officers  of  our  regiment  attempted  to 
muster  the  men  into  line  again ;  and  after 
much  effort  they  partially  succeeded  ;  and 
then  in  a  broken,  straggling  column,  we 
were  marched  towards  the  ruins  to  meet  the 
steadily  and  rapidly  advancing  federals. 

The  irregular  fight  that  succeeded  over 
the  debris  of  the  falling  fort  I  will  not  at- 
tempt to  describe.  The  only  part  I  took  in 
it,  except  being  in  the  way  of  everybody  and 
everybody  in  my  way,  was  on  the  broken 
parapet,  when  I  discovered  you.  Colonel 
Manly,  fighting  desperately  against  fearful 
odds.  It  was  then  and  there  that  I  saw  an 
athletic  officer,  after  you  had  been  disarmed, 
attempt  to  cleave  your  skull  with  a  heavy 
sword.  I  could  not  resist  the  attempt  to 
save  you  from  being  cut  down  by  striking 
his  sword-arm  a  blow  that  caused  it  to  fall 
powerless  by  his  side,  even  if  my  life  were 
to  be  yielded  up  at  the  next  moment.  The 
result  you  well  know.  You  prevented  a 
rebel  from  slaying  me,  at  the  moment  the 
cry  of  *  Traitor  !  '  sounded  in  my  ears. 

'  And  Spy,  too  ! '  gasped  another,  who  in 
the  agonies  of  death  had  recocrnized  me. 

I  gazed  in  the  direction  whence  this  last 
denunciatory  charge  had  come,  and  beheld 
a  shapeless  mass  lying  in  the  debris  within 
ten  feet  of  where  I  stood. 


152 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM;    OR,   THE 


It  was  the  body  of  the  deserter,  Major 
Jenefer,  with  just  life  enqugh  within  it,  as  I 
conjectured,  to  give  to  that  bloated  face  the 
uo'liest  and   most  hideous  contortions  I  had 

o 

ever  beheld. 

The  sight  caused  me  to  shudder ;  and 
just  as  I  was  withdrawing  my  gaze  from  the 
agonized  wretch,  T  was  suddenly  seized  by 
one  of  a  party  of  rebels  who  had  rallied,  and 
in  the  melee  I  was  struck  to  the  earth,  and 
trampled  on  by  our  fierce  enemies. 

They  probably  thought  me  dead,  or  they 
would  have  made  doubly  sure  of  their  work. 
A  fainiing  sensation  had  come  upon  me,  and 
some  minutes  must  have  elapsed  before  I 
was  enabled  to  raise  my  head. 

At  length  I  heard  tumultuous  shouts, 
like  those  I  heard  at  Shiloh  and  at  Pitts- 
burgh Landing.  They  were  shouts  of  vic- 
tory !  They  gave  me  renewed  strength, 
and  r  raised  my  head  to  behold  the  lower- 
ing of  the  rebel  flag  from  its  staflf,  and  the 
running  up  in  its  place  the  glorious  stars 
and  stripes  of  the  Union. 

In  a  few  minutes  more  you  stood  by  my 
side,  and  I  revealed  myself  to  you.  I  was 
overjoyed  !  My  soul's  gladness,  however, 
soon  gave  way  to  sorrow,  for  you  swooned 
at  my  feet,  and  I  feared  that  you  must  have 
received  some  mortal  hurt. 

Fortunately,  at  the  moment,  Zeke  Long- 
range  hastened  to  the  spot,  for  he  had  seen 
his  commander  of  that  day's  fight  fall. 

'  Oh,  sir,  help !  I  know  that  you  are  a 
friend  of  this  officer.  I  fear  that  he  is  mor- 
tally wounded  !  '  I  exclaimed. 

'  Wbo  mought  you  be,  in  that  grey  cov- 
erin'  1 '  he  ejaculated. 

'  Don't  you  know  me  ?  I  am  the  Vivan- 
diere  I  It  was  I  who  sent  you  that  myste- 
rious grenade.' 

'  Bars  and  wolverines  !  That  grenade 
was  wuth  the  hull  State  o'  Michigan.  How 
fort'nit  I  didn't  shoot  yer. ' 

'  Where's  the  surgeon "? '  I  asked,  as  I 
bent  over  the  prostrate  form  of  my  friend, 
endeavoring  to  ascertain  his  injuries. 

'  IIo"s  ^dt  his  hands  full  o'  poor  unfort*- 


nates,'  replied  Zeke.  '  Fust  come  fust 
sarved  is  his  way  o'  doin'  business.  It  will 
be  Colonel  Manly 's  turn  next.' 

'  Do  you  think  he'll  die  ?  ' 

'  Die  ! '-  he  repeated,  solemnly  ;  '  die  I — 
he  mustn't  die.  He's  got  more  lives  than 
half  a  dozen  common  men  ;  '  and  he*  stooped 
down  and  commenced  to  search  for  a  wound. 
'  Thar's  nothing  like  a  sabre  gash,  nor  a 
bullet  hole,  and  his  pulse  is  beatia'  as  reg- 
'lar  as  an  eight-day  clock.' 

'  What  can  we  do  ?  '  I  asked.  '  It 
won't  do  for  him  to  lie  here.' 

'  How  fort'nate.  Thar  comes  one  o' 
them  amb'lances,'  said  he.  '  Hello,  driver, 
hold  on  !  here's  a  wounded  officer  wants  a 
ride.     Hurry  up.' 

The  driver  halted  at  the  foot  of  the 
mound  of  debris  where  we  were  standing, 
and  signified  his  readiness  to  take  the 
wounded  man. 

'  Here,  beauty,'  said  Zeke,  addressing 
me,  *  you  bring  that  shooting-iron  along  ; 
but  mind  yer,  handle  it  keerfuUy  ;  and  I'll 
take  keer  o'  this  brave  specimen  of  a  man  ; ' 
and  Zeke  proceeded  to  lift  him  in  his 
brawny  arras,  which  he  did  with  as  much 
ease  as  if  he  had  been  a  child 

'Handle  hiin  carefully,'  said  I. 

*  Don't  yer  bo  'larraed,  beauty — I'll  kerry 
him  as  tenderly  as  a  she-bar  would  one  o' 
her  cubs.  On'y  you  take  good  keero'  that 
ar  rebel-killer.  I'd  rather  lose  a  leg  than  to 
hev  any  harm  come  to  that  ar  we'pon.' 

He  bore  his  burden  with  great  care,  and 
tenderly  placed  it  in  the  ambulance,  and 
after  propping  its  head  up  with  pillows,  he 
looked  to  me  for  instructions  where  it  should 
be  borne. 

The  most  comfortable  quarters,  near  at 
hand,  that  I  knew  of,  were  those  of  the 
commander  of  the  fortress,  who,  by  this 
time,  was  either  a  corpse  or  a  prisoner, 

I  led  the  way  thither,  the  ambulance  fol- 
lowing, accompanied  by  Zeke,  who  undoubt- 
edly felt  that  his  services  might  be  further 
needed. 

The  distance  was  not  more  than  three  or 


SPY    OF   THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


153 


four  bundled  yards,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
the  vehicle  halted  in  front  of  the  quarters  I 
had  designated. 

Zeke,  as  before,  took  the  unconscious 
man  in  his  arms,  and  following  me  we  were 
quickly  in  possession  of  the  comfortable  and 
even  luxurious  quarters  so  recently  occupied 
by  the  post  commandant.  Tenderly  the 
strong  man  laid  his  burden  upon  a  couch, 
and  then  signifying  his  intention  of  going 
immediately  in  search  of  the  surgeon-gen- 
eral, or  one  of  his  assistants,  he  hastened 
out  of  the  apartment. 

Some  fifteen  minutes  elapsed  when  he  re- 
appeared, followed  by  the  victorious  general 
of  the  federal  army.  Doctor  Glenfield,  the 
surgeon-general  —  our  surgeon  —  and  little 
Harry  Robeson ;  the  latter  sobbing  violently 
to  learn  that  his  superior  officer  had  been 
struck  down  in  the  fearful  onslaught  amid 
the  ruins  of  the  fort. 

Our  meeting  was  soon  made  all  the  hap- 
pier by  the  announcement  of  the  skilful  sur- 
geon that  the  patient  was  only  exhausted  by 
excessive  fatigue. 

None  expressed  so  much  joy  at  this  favor- 
able report  as  did  Harry  Robeson. 

'  You  are  sure,  doctor,  that  he  will  very 
soon  recover  V 

'  Quite  sure,'  was  the  reply ;  '  and  if  you 
doubt  it,  you  may  appeal  to  your  former 
kind  comrade  and  friend,  the  drummer-boy, 
— afterwards  La  Vivandiere,  and  more  re- 
cently  ' 

'  The  Spy  of  the  Grand  Army  ! '  inter- 
rupted the  usually  reticent  general,  with 
marked  emphasis,  and  with  an  expression  of 
genuiny  satisfaction  resting  upon  his  natur- 
ally stolid  countenance. 

The  "doctor's  prediction  was  fully  verified. 
Within  the  time  named  our  patient  had  re- 
covered his  senses,  and  was  reported  con- 
valescent. 

What  followed  immediately  after  your  re- 
covery is  well  known  to  us  all.  And  now. 
Colonel  Manly,  the  story  of  my  adventures 
as  the  '  Spy  of  the  Grand  Army,'  as  the 
general  seemed  pleased  to  call  me,    isat  an 


end.  I  know  that  some  of  the  incidents  bor- 
der on  the  marvellous,  and  almost  stagger 
the  belief,  but  should  we  be  so  fortunate,  in 
the  future,  to  meet  the  more  prominent  char- 
acters that  have  figured  with  me  in  my  ad- 
ventures, enough  may  be  substantiated  to 
convince  and  confirm  in  your  minds  the  truth- 
fulness of  my  narrative." 

"  Think  not,  Virginia,  that  I  have  enter- 
tained a  doubt  in  regard  to  any  incident  you 
have  related,"  said  Colonel  Manly,  gazing 
upon  the  brave  girl  with  almost  idolatrous 
eyes.  "  Indeed,  too  much  has  already  been 
corroborated  to  satisfy  me  that  your  eventful 
romance  is  no  fiction.' 

"  Promise  me,  Virginia,  that  you  will  not 
act  the  part  of  a  spy  any  longer,"  said  HaiTy 
Robeson,  who  had  listened  with  most  intense 
interest  to  the  entire  narrative. 

"  I  give  you  my  word,  dear  Harry,  that 
I  will  not,"  replied  Virginia. 

"  And  you  will  not  leave  us  again  ?  "  said 
Harry,  anxiously. 

"  Not  unless  I  am  ordered  by  my  colonel 
or  general,"  was  her  reply. 

"  Then  my  orders  are,  Virginia,  that  you 
remain  with  the  regiment  in  your  former 
character  of  Vivandiere  ;  and  if  the  general 
should  order  you  to  another  post  of  duty,  I 
shall  most  solemnly  protest,"  said  I.  "Hark ! 
there  comes  the  doctor  again  ;  I  know  his 
step." 

"  And  so  do  I,"  added  Virginia. 
Doctor  Glenfield  now  made  his  appear- 
ance. He  was  warmly  welcomed,  although 
we  had  no  further  need  of  his  professional 
services.  He  appeared  to  be  in  a  state  of 
great  agitation,  and  he  no  sooner  seated  him- 
self in  a  comfortable  chair  than  he  arose 
again,  and  after  pacing  to  and  fro  the  room, 
and  gazing  out  of  the  window,  he  reseated 
himself,  glancing  his  eye,  nervously,  first  at 
Virginia,  and  then  at  me. 

"  W^hat  is  there  that's  new,  doctor  1 " 
"  Nothing  particular — nothing  very  par- 
ticular," he  replied.     "  The  weather  is  de- 
lightful— a  walk  in  the  air  would  be  bene- 
ficial  to  your  health,  colonel." 


154 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


"I  shall  benefit  by  your  advice  early  to- 
morrow morning." 

"  By  the  by,  colonel,  Major  Jenefer  breath- 
ed his  last  about  two  hours  ago,"  said  the 
surgeon.  "  I  never  saw  a  man  cling  to  life 
with  such  tenacity.  When  he  first  came 
into  my  hands,  I  judged  there  was  not  an 
hour's  life  in  him,  and  yet  he  has  survived 
until  to-day." 

"  Did  he  express  any  regret  for  having 
deserted  ?  " 

"  Not  the  slightest.  He  justified  his  con- 
duet  and  glorified  in  it  until  the  last.  He 
cursed  our  general — cursed  you,  colonel — 
cursed  Miss  Virginia — and  would  have  curs- 
ed me  if  I  had  not  relieved  hira  of  the  bod- 
ily pains  he  was  writhing  under.  He  was  a 
singular  compound  of  bombast,  villany,  and 
audacity,  and  yet  he  was  as  arrant  a  coward 
as  ever  turned  back  on  the  enemy.  But  he 
had  one  remarkable  faculty — INIemory.  He 
could  remember  everything  that  he  had  ever 
read,  heard,  or  seen — especially  could  he  re- 
member/ace^.  No  disguise  was  sufficient 
to  prevent  his  penetrating  through  it.  He 
told  me  some  things  which  fairly  startled  me. " 

"  Such  as " 

"  I  may  tell  you  some  time,  colonel,  but 
not  now — not  now.  I  must  be  off  to  the 
hospital.  Many  a  poor  fellow  is  impatient 
to  see  me.  My  fighting  don't  come  till 
after  the  battle  is  over  ;  then  I  have  to  fight 
with  Death's  messengers  in  every  form. 
]\Iy  weapons  are  the  probe,  the  saw,  the 
scalpel,  bandages,  lint,  drugs,  &c.  Some- 
times I  get  vanquished  ;  but  more  frequently 
I  am  the  vanquisher.     So  good  morning." 

"  Call  again  soon,  doctor,"  said  I. 

"  At  the  first  leisure  moment,"  he  re- 
phed,  hurriedly,  and  he  was  ofi^. 

"  What  can  have  got  into  the  doctor?  " 
said  I  to  Virginia,  who  was  gazing  out  of 
the  window,  seemingly  in  a  fit  of  abstraction. 

"  Did  you  observe  anything  very  pecu- 
liar ?  "  she  asked. 

"  Didn't  yo«?" 

"  He  did  have  more  to  say  than  usual,  I 
believe,"  repUed  Virginia. 


"  You  believe !  Why,  I  never  heard 
him  run  on  at  such  a  rate  before ;  and  then 
he  was  .so  excited  ;  so  nervous — and  his 
face  was  all  aglow  with  expression,  or  in- 
spiration, it  might  be  termed.  Something 
has  turned  up  which  touches  him  nearly. 
Why,  I've  regarded  hira  as  one  of  the  most 
imperturbable  of  men.  I  have  seen  him 
dress  a  wound  on  the  battle-field,  when  the 
shot  and  shell  fell  so  thickly  around  him 
that  it  seemed  as  if  the  stoutest  heart  would 
have  quaked  with  terror ;  and  yet  he  would 
perform  his  professional  duty  with  as  much 
coolness  as  if  he  had  been  in  a  hospital." 

"  How  rare  it  is  to  meet  with  a  surgeon 
of  his  professional  and  other  commendable 
qualities  in  the  army,"  was  Virginia's  com- 
plimentary addition  to  my  panegyric. 

"  He  is  one  among  a  thousand,  I  do  be- 
lieve." 

The  conversation  was  here  intcrrup';ed  by 
the  announcement  that  an  officer  of  the  gen- 
eral's stafi"  wished  to  communicate  with  Col- 
onel Manly.  I  dbected  my  orderly,  Harry 
Robeson  to  ask  him  to  come  in.  After  a 
few  moment's  absence  he  returned,  saying 

that   Col.  P regretted  that  his  duties 

would  not  permit  him  to  pay  his  respects  to 
Col.  Manly  at  that  time.  Harry  then 
,placcd  in  my  hands  a  sealed  despatch  that 
he  had  received  from  the  officer's  hands, 
which,  on  opening,  I  found,  to  my  surprise, 
that  my  regiment  was  expected  to  be  in 
readiness  to  embark  for  New  Orleans  within 
twenty-four  hours. 

"  To  New  Orleans,"  I  remarked  to  Vir- 
ginia.    "  What  ^ay  you  to  that?  " 

"  It  is  an  order,  is  it  not  ?  " 

"  Certainly." 

"  Then  your  regiment  is  to  go  to  New 
Orleans.    Nothing  can  be  plainer,"  said  she. 

"And  you?" 

"  Do  I  not  belong  to  the  regiment,  col- 
onel?" 

"  Of  course,  Virginia;  but  then  you  are 
really  not  obliged  to  go  if  it  be  not  your 
desire." 

"  It  is  my  desire  and  pleasure,  colonel,  to 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


155 


go  wherever  my  regiment  goes,  providing 
Harry  Robeson  goes  too." 

"  Then  we  will  all  go — Aunt  Clemmy 
included.  We  shall  have  no  fighting  down 
there.  I  suppose  the  general  thinks  our 
thrice-decimated  regiment  has  seen  quite 
enough  of  fighting  service  for  the  present." 

Weak  though  I  was,  I  immediately  sat 
about  giving  the  necessary  orders  to  my 
subalterns  to  be  in  readiness  to  embark  on 
board  of  a  transport  steamer  the  next  day 
for  the  Crescent  City.  These  orders  were 
carried  into  effect,  and  within  the  twenty- 
four  hours  we  marched  out  of  our  Vicksburg 
quarters  for  the  landing,  and  in  less  than 
two  hours  afterwards  the  regiment,  and  all 
appertaining  thereto,  were  moving  down  the 
Father  of  Waters  at  the  rapid  speed  of 
eighteen  knots  an  hour. 


CHAPTER    XXVIL 

A   FELICITOUS    CONCLUSION. 

The  four  hundred  miles'  journey  down 
the  Father  of  Waters  was  accomplished  with- 
in twenty-four  hours.  Our  disembarkation 
immediately  took  place,  and  on  repairing  at 
head-quarters,  I  was  ordered  to  march  my 
regiment  to  Jackson  Square,  and  there  pitch 
our  tents  ;  where,  besides  the  ordinary  routine 
of  camp  duty,  we  had  but  trifling  service  to 
perform. 

My  military  family  consisted,  as  before, 
of  the  Vivandiere,  Harry  Robeson,  and 
Aunt  Clemmy,  and  quarters  were  furnished 
us  in  a  house  of  no  mean  pretensions  front- 
ing on  the  square.  Our  most  constant  visi- 
tor was  Doctor  Glenfield,  whom  we  always 
received  as  a  welcome  guest.  But  "  a 
change  had  come  over  the  spirit  of  his 
dream."  He  was  no  longer  that  reticent, 
quiet  man,  whom  we  had  known  at  Pitts- 
burg Landing,  at  Shiloh,  and  at  the  siege 
of  Vicksburg.  That  expression  of  abstract 
thoughtfulness,  commingled  with  a  tinge  of 
melancholy,  had  disappeai-ed  from  his  noble, 
handsome  countenance.  He  had  become 
entertainino;  in  conversation,  aoreeable  in  his 
manners  ;  and   he   seemed  to  take  especial 


pains  iti  enlivening  us  all  with  a  profusion 
of  jokes,  anecdotes,  and  amusing  stories. 

What  had  brought  about  this  radical 
change  in  the  doctor's  spiiits  was  as  much  a 
mystery  to  me  as  it  must  be  to  those  who 
have  followed  me  thus  far  in  my  narrative. 
To  Virginia  he  was  respectful, — never 
familiar ;  and  as  yet  I  had  never  known 
them  to  exchange  a  word  that  was  not  for 
my  ear  also  ;  and  I  had  never  known  them 
to  be  together  a  moment  when  I  was  not 
present.  Whenever  he  called,  if  I  hap- 
pened to  be  absent,  he  would  not  venture 
across  the  threshold.  Altogether,  the  doc- 
tor was  rather  an  enigma  to  me — an  enigma 
that  I  had  determined  to  solve  whenever  a 
favorable  opportunity  offered. 

He  was  engaged  to  dine  with  us  one  Sun- 
day afternoon,  but  when  the  hour  arrived  he 
failed  to  make  his  appearance.  We  waited  an 
hour  and  then  sat  down  to  dine  without  him. 
The  evening  passed  away  and  he  did  not 
appear.  More  than  once  I  had  made  up 
my  mind  to  send  to  his  quarters,  which  were 
half  a  mile  distant,  but  Virginia  felt  assured 
that  there  was  no  necessity  for  evincing  so 
much  anxiety  in  regard  to  our  medical  friend, 
and  I  abandoned  the  idea.  The  following 
day  had  nearly  passed,  when,  no  tidings  hav- 
ing been  heard  from  him,  I  despatched 
Harry  Robeson  to  make  enquiries  for  the 
doctor  at  his  head-quarters,  if  he  should 
chance  to  be  absent  when  he  arrived  there. 
Not  more  than  twenty-five  minutes  had 
elapsed,  when  Harry  returned  with  the  ter- 
rible tidings  that  Doctor  Glenfield  had  been 
attacked  on  the  evening  previous  with  the 
yellow  fever. 

Virginia  and  myself  had  just  sat  down  to 
our  evening  meal  as  Harry  entered.  I 
arose  hastily  from  the  table,  and  said, 

' '  I  cannot  partake  of  a  mouthful  of  food 
until  I  have  seen  my  suffering  friend." 

I  immediately  donned  my  cap,  and  was 
about  to  rush  from  the  house,  when  Aunt 
Clemmy  placed  her  stout  ebony  figure  be- 
tween me  and  the  door,  and  exclaimed,  in 
great  trepidation, — 


156 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


"  Oh,  massa  colonel  !  don't  go  down  dar  ! 
for  hcabcn's  sake  !  You  cotch  dc  yaller 
feber,  shuah  ;  den  it  am  all  up  wid  you.' 

"  But  it's  my  friend,  the  doctor,  who's 
sick.     I  nmst  go,'  said  I. 

"  Golly,  massa,  you'll  cotch  it  and  die 
shuah.  Da'rs  plenty  yaller  feber  doctors  to 
take  care  ob  good  Doctor  Glenfield.  He'll 
be  berry  sorry  to  see  you  dar,  for  I  know 
he  lubs  you  as  a  brudder.  What  good  can 
you  dodar?  No  good,  as  shuah  as  you  alibe." 
However,  I  made  a  compromise  with  her 
to  this  effect :  I  would  go  no  farther  than 
the  door  of  his  quarters,  and  make  enquiries 
regarding  his  condition,  and  make  it  my 
business  to  see  that  he  had  the  best  medical 
and  other  attention  that  the  necessities  of 
his  case  might  require.  She  suggested  go- 
ing herself,  but  I  would  not  listen  to  any 
such  proposition.  Finally,  after  giving  me 
a  world  of  caution,  I  rushed  from  the  house 
and  made  my  way  thither  with  all  haste. 

On  reaching  the  door  of  our  surgeon's 
quarters,  I  met  with  an  assistant  of  his  just 
coming  out. 

"  How  is  the  doctor?"  I  eagerly  asked. 
"  He  is  not  very  well  this  morning." 
"  Has  he  good  medical  attendance  !  " 
"  The  doctors  are  yet  undecided." 
"  Can  I  be  of  service  to  him  ?  " 
"  I  think  not ;  all  will  be  done  that  can 
be.     Should  there   be  any  change,   either 
favorable  or  unfavorable,  I  will  send  a  mes- 
senger to  you." 

"  Do  so,  and  merit  my  sincerest  thanks," 
I  replied,  and  turned  reluctantly  away. 

On  reaching  the  encampment  of  my  regi- 
imeut,  a  lieutenant  saluted  me,  and  informed 
me  that  there  was  a  stranger  in  camp  en- 
quiring for  the  colonel. 

"  Who  is  he  ?  What  is  his  name  ?  " 
"  He  did  not  tell  me.  He  is  an  elderly 
man,  and  has  the  appearance  of  being  a  gen- 
tleman," was  the  answer.  "  Ah  !  there  he 
is  now  talking  with  Longrange,  the  sharp- 
shooter.    He  is  now  coming  this  way." 


must  ask  you  to  permit  me  to  remain  incog- 
nito for  the  present;  but  we  can  be  just  as 
As  the  stranger  approached,  I  had  an  op- 1  friendly  in  our  intercourse,  nevertheless." 
portunity  to  judge  of  him,  so  far  as  outward        "  Certainly,  sir,  if  you  desire  it.     Walk 


appearances  go.  He  was  a  man  of  medium 
stature,  some  fifty-five  or  sixty  years  of  age, 
with  a  full  grey  beard  and  grey  hair,  neatly 
trimmed.  He  wore  a  civilian's  dress, — 
each  article  indicating  that  he  was  a  gentle- 
man ;  and  in  his  hand  he  carried  a  gold- 
headed  cane.  As  he  came  nearer  I  saw 
that  a  benevolent  though  somewhat  sad  ex- 
pression rested  upon  his  countenance. 

"  This  is  Colonel  Manly,  sir,  for  whom 
you  have  enquired,"  said  the  lieutenant,  by 
way  of  introduction. 

He  halted,  looked  me  in  the  face  for  a 
moment,  and  then,  stepping  forward,  he  ex- 
tended his  hand,  saying, — 

"  I  am  most  happy  to  meet  you,  colonel." 

I  took  the  proffered  hand,  and  said : 

"  I'venotthehonor  of  knowing  you,  sir." 

"  How  should  you  '?     I  am  a  stranger  in 

this  city,  and  an  utter  stranger  to  you ;  but, 

nevertheless,  I  am  glad  to  have  found  you, 

and  hope  to  make  your  further  acquaintance." 

"  But,  sir " 

"  I  know  what  you  would  say,  colonel; 
but  I  bear  with  me  a  brief  passport  to  your 
kind  consideration  from  one  whom  you  e.s- 
teem  highly  ;  "  and  the  stranger  took  from 
his  pocket  book  an  unsealed  letter,  which  he 
placed  in  my  hands. 

It  was  addressed  to  me,  and  its  contents 
were  briefly  as  follows  : 

"Colonel  M.\nly: — 

De.\r  Sir, — I  commend  to  your  kind 
offices  this  gentleman 

(Signed)     U.  S.  G. ,  Maj-General." 

I  read  it  over  twice,  thrice.  "  Tids  gen- 
tleman! "  That's  very  queer,  I  said  to 
myself.  I  looked  into  his  benevolent  face 
inquiringly,  but  as  he  made  no  answer,  T 
essayed  to  speak  : 

"  But  there  is  no " 

"  I  know  what  you  would  say,"  he  re- 
marked, interrupting  me  quickly;  "but  never 
mind  that  now;   for    prudential  reasons  I 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


157 


with  me  to  my  quarters,  where  we  can  con- 
verse without  interruption." 

He  accepted  my  invitation,  and  I  escort- 
ed him  to  my  private  room  at  my  quarters. 
As  I  entered  the  house,  I  noticed  that  no 
member  of  my  little  military  family  was 
there  to  give  me  the  usual  greeting ;  but  sup- 
posing that  they  were  about  the  premises 
within  call,  I  dismissed  the  matter  from  my 
mind. 

"  Your  countenance  is  not  unfamiliar  to 
me,  though  I  do  not  remember  ever  having 
seen  you  until  to-day,"  remarked  the  stran- 
ger, as  he  seated  himself  in  the  chair  which 
I  drew  up  for  him  to  the  centre-table,  and  fix- 
ing his  gaze  with  an  interested  expression 
upon  my  face.    "  Singular — very  singular." 

After  this  there  was  a  silence  maintained 
for  some  moments.  I  was  waiting  for  him  to 
open  his  business,  or  at  least  for  him  to  tell 
me  who  and  what  he  was,  for  I  did  not  ex- 
actly relish  the  idea  of  entertaining  a  guest 
whose  name  I  did  not  know,  and  whose  face 
I  had  never  seen,  notwithstanding  his  cre- 
dentials from  the  general. 

At  length  he  resumed  : 

"  Colonel  Manly,  for  some  eight  months 
I  have  been  in  search  of  two  young  persons 
in  whom  I  am  very  deeply  interested.  I 
have  travelled  several  thousands  of  miles, 
visiting  the  various  military  posts,  east,  west, 
north  and  south,  making  diligent  enquiries, 
and  employing  others  to  assist  me,  but  thus 
far  I  have  totally  failed  of  my  object.  In 
a  recent  interview  with  the  federal  general 
of  the  department  of  the  Mississippi,  he 
veiy  kindly  referred  me  to  you,  without 
stating  a  solitary  reason  therefor ;  but  the 
reference  was  made  in  a  manner  that  led  me 
to  believe  that  he  knew  more  than  he  was 
willing  to  communicate. 

"  Indeed — this  is  very  singular,"  I  re- 
marked 

"  Let  me  first  inform  you,  colonel,  that 
the  eldest  of  these  persons  is  a  young  lady, 
and  the  other  a  youth  scarcely  fifteen  years 
of  age." 


"  What  are  their  names?"  I  asked. 
"  That  question  I  will  answer  presently. 
The  young  lady  is  my  adopted  daughter, 
who,  to  avoid  marrying  a  rich  gentleman, 
whom  I  had  selected  as  her  suitor,  renounc- 
ing him  for  a  lover  to 'me  unknown,  sud- 
denly left  her  home,  and  on  the  next  day 
was  followed  by  my  boy,  the  youth  of  whom 
I  have  spoken.  He  was  fondly  attached  to 
his  foster  sister,  and  could  not  endure  her  ab- 
sence. To  be  with  her  was  the  only  motive 
he  could  have  had  for  deserting  his  home. 
Twice,  in  the  course  of  my  travels  I  thought 
I  had  gained  a  clue  to  their  whereabouts,  but 
on  following  it  up  was  doomed  to  disappoint- 
ment. I  advertised  for  the  young  refugees 
in  several  leading  papers,  in  different  cities, 
not  only  ofiering  a  generous  reward  for  in- 
formation concerning  them,  but  also,  if  the 
advertisement  should  chance  to  meet  the  eye 
of  my  adopted  daughter,  that,  if  she  would 
return,  not  only  to  forgive  her  for  opposing 
my  wishes  and  deserting  her  home,  but  to 
'permit  her  in  the  future  to  be  the  mistress  of 
her  own  heart.  But  no  response  ever  came 
to  me  from  this  general  publicity  of  my  be- 
reavement— a  bereavement  which  I  assure 
you  has  caused  me  such  continued  anxiety 
and  grief,  that  happiness  has  become  an  en- 
tire stranger  to  me.  I  know  that  I  was 
harsh  to  my  adopted  child ;  and  if  Fate  has 
ordained  that  I  shall  never  behold  her  more, 
she  wiU  forgive  me,  as  I  have  long  since  for- 
given her. 

The  stranger  paused  in  his  speech,  for  bit- 
ter tears  now  coursed  down  his  furrowed 
cheeks,  and  his  violent  sobbings  caused  him 
to  falter  in  his  speech. 

"  I  deeply  sympathize  with  you,  and  may 
a  kind  Providence  lead  you  to  their  place  of 
refuge,  and  restore  them  to  you,"  I  re- 
marked. 

"  If  living — if  living  !  "  he  repeated  om- 
inously. "  In  these  days  of  national  ca- 
lamity there  will  be  many  lost  ones  whose 
fates  never  will  be  known." 


158 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


'•  Be  liopeful,  my  dear  sir;  and  if  I  can 
be  of  the  Jeast  service  to  you,  command  me." 

"  That  I  liave  yet  to  learn.  Why  should 
your  general  send  me  on  a  journey  of  six 
hundred  miles  to  see  you,  Colonel  Manly, 
if  you  possess  no  knowledge  of  these  young 
fugitives?  " 

"  How  should  I  have  knowledge  when  I 
do  not  know  even  their  names  ?  "  said  I,  en- 
quiringly. 

"  True — very  true.  On  that  point  I  will 
keep  you  in  the  dark  no  longer.  In  the 
first  place  let  me  tell  you  that  ray  name  is 
Warland — Augustus  Warland  !  " 

"  Merciful  God  !  I  exclaimed,  starting  up 
as  if  a  bright  revelation  had  been  suddenly 
opened  to  me  from  the  eternal  world.  ' '  Au- 
gustus Warland!"  I  repeated.  "Were 
you  ever  in  Galena,  Illinois  1  " 

"  Yes — many  years  ago — it  was  there  I 
adopted  the  infant  daughter  of  my  dear  old 
friend,  Harrison  B.  Manly — by  the  way,  a 
namesake  of  yours,  colonel !  "  said  he,  with 
a  startled  look. 

"  And  you  afterwards  resided  at  Cairo  ?  " 
I  asked  eagerly. 

"  For  one  season — until  a  flood  drove  me 
away." 

"  And  your  adopted  daughter's  name 
is—" 

"  Isabel  Manly  Warland  I  But  why  are 
you  so  strangely  excited,  colonel?" 

'•Excited?"  I  cried.  "  By  Jove  !  I 
ought  to  be  wild  with  joy  !  For  know  you 
that  Harrison  B.  Manly  was  my  fatuer  ! 
and  your  adopted  daughter,  Isabel   Manly, 

IS  MY  SISTER  !  " 

It  was  now  Mr.  Warland's  turn  to  be 
surprised ;  and  I  suppose  for  a  few  minutes 
we  both  acted  like  a  pair  of  wonder-strick- 
en enthusiasts.  He,  however,  was  only  as- 
tonished, while  I  was  delighted  to  have  dis- 
covered the  foster-father  of  my  dear  sister. 

"  But  why  this  excess  of  joy,  when  your 
sister  is  still  missing?  "  he  enquired. 

"  Ah,  sir,"  I  replied,  "you  arej^et  to  be 
told  of  the  many  days  and  weeks  I  have 


spent  in  A^ain  endeavors  to  find  you  ;  and 
now,  after  the  lapse  of  years,  yon  appear 
suddenly  before  me.  Is  not  that  something 
to  be  joyful  for?  But  tell  me,  Mr.  War- 
land,  what  is  the  name  of  your  missing 
son  ?  " 

"  Henry  Robeson  Warland  ?  "  he  replied. 

"Robeson!"  I  exclaimed  ;  "excuse  me 
but  for  a  moment,  sir." 

I  rushed  out  of  the  room,  and  cried — 

"Harry!  Virginia?  AuntClemmy?" 
No  response  was  heard,  JMy  quarters 
seemed,  for  the  first  time  since  I  had  occu- 
pied them,  to  be  entirely  deserted.  What 
could  it  mean  ?  I  had  a  strannje  niisfrivinG: 
that  something  serious  had  happened — per- 
haps they  had  deserted  rae  forever  !  and  at 
a  time,  of  all  others,  that  would  be  crushine: 
to  the  great  hope  that  had  so  suddenly  been 
born  within  me. 

At  length  I  heard  Aunt  Clemmy's  shuf- 
fling footsteps  approaching,  and  she  quickly 
entered,  looking  as  if  she'had  been  running  a 
foot  race,  for  big  drops  of  perspiration  oozed 
from  her  ebony  brow,  and  her  respiration 
was  so  heavy  that  for  some  moments  she 
could  not  utter  a  word. 

She  threw  herself  into  a  chair,  and  began 
fanning  herself  violently. 

"  Why,  what's  the  matter.  Aunt  Clem- 
my  ?"  I  enquired. 

"  Wal,  I  neber — in  all  my  born  days — 
massa  colonel — seed  anoder — sich  a  gal- 
as my  young  missee,"  she  replied,  puffing 
out  her  bi'oken  sentences  with  great  efibrt. 

"  Where  is  she  ?"  I  demanded. 

"  She  wufl  do  it — she  wud  go — down 

"Go,  where?" 

"  Why,  ob  course,  down  dar — whar  you 
went — to  see  dat  poo'  doctor  wot's  'tacted 
wid  de  yaller  Jack,  yer  know." 

' '  You  do  not  mean  to  say  that  Virginia 
has  gone  where  you  objected  to  my  going  ?" 

"  Ees,  sah,  massa — she  gone,  shua — went 
while  I  wur  beggin'  ob  you  not  to  go — right 
down  dar — whar  de  feber  am  ragin' — poo' 
missee — hope  she  cum  out  alibe  !     I'd  rader 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    AUMY. 


159 


Lab  forty  doctors  die  than  one  Wirginy. — 
I  ciidn't  be'p  it — twasn't  my  fault — I  fol- 
lowed her  dough —  couldn't  cotch  her.  She 
am  younger  an  spryer  dan  ole  Aunt 
Clemmy." 

"  Where  is  Harry  Robeson?" 

"  He  went  down  dar,  too ;  but  dey  did'nt 
lef  him  in.  I  tole  him  to  come  home  wid 
me.  But  he  say  he  muss  wait  for  Missee 
Wirginy.     Dey'll  come  back  soon,  shauh. ' ' 

I  began  now  to  reproach  myself  for  listen- 
ing to  the  good-hearted  old  servant,  other- 
wise I  might  have  prevented  Virginia  from 
exposing  herself  to  the  terrible  contagion.  I 
resolved  to  excuse  myself  to  Mr.  Warland 
and  hasten  to  the  sick  doctor's  quarters,  and 
insist  on  their  returning  at  once. 

"  Mr.  Warland,"  said  I,  on  returning  to 
my  apartment;  "  I  think  I  know  something 
of  the  young  refugees  you  are  in  search  of ; 
but  I  shall  be  obliged  to  leave  you  for,  per- 
haps, half  an  hour.  I  particularly  desu-e  that 
you  will  remain  until  my  return  ;  and  in- 
deed, I  cordially  invite  you  to  tarry  at  these 
quarters  as  our  guest  as  long  as  you  sojourn 
in  this  city." 

"  But  I  have  taken  quarters  at  the  St. 
Charles,"  said  he. 

"  Never  mind  that ;  I  will  at  once  des- 
patch a  messenger  for  your  luggage.  I 
am  well  knowh  to  the  landlord." 

"  You  are  very  kind,  colonel,  but " 

"  Nay,  Mr,  Warland,  I  will  listen  to  no 
objections.  You  must  be  our  guest,"  I  in- 
sisted. 

At  this  moment  I  heard  a  sweet,  silvery 
voice  in  the  vestibule,  saying — 

*•  It's  all  right.  Aunt  Clemmy.  The  doc- 
tors have  decided  that  he  has  no  symptoms 
of  the  yellow  fever.  Haven't  they,  Harry?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  boy. 

*'  De  lor  be  praised  !"  exclaimed  the  ne- 
gress. 

I  i-ushed  out  of  the  room,  and  in  the  exu- 
berance of  my  joy  I  actually  embraced  and 
kissed  the  Vivandiere,  a  familiarity  I  had 
never  before  dared  to  indulge  in.     She  was 


somewhat   startled    at    my  rudeness,    but 
seemed  not  offended. 

"  Oh,  you  have  so  frightened  me  !  How 
dared  you  be  so  reckless  of  your  own  dear 
self?  There  is  no  protection  from  the  fear- 
ful contagion  !  "  I  exclaimed. 

"  Yes,  but  there  is,  colonel,"  she  replied, 
turning  her  eyes  reverently  upward,  and 
raising  her  right  hand  ;  "  there.  A  kind 
Providence  watches  over  me." 

"I  feel  and  most  reverently  believe  it," 
said  I,  as  I  gazed  upon  her  almost  seraphic 
countenance.  "  Our  kind  doctor  then  is 
better  ?" 

"  Oh,  yes.  At  first  his  medical  advisers 
thought  they  detected  symptoms  of  the  dread- 
ed fever ;  but  before  I  left  him  those  symp- 
toms disappeared.  They  now  pronounce 
him  convalescent,  and  declare  that  he  will 
be  quite  well  after  a  night's  repose. 

"  This  is,  indeed,  joyful  intelligence.  But 
come  into  my  room,  Virginia  ;  and  you,  too 
Harry.  I  have  a  guest  there  who  will  be 
much  pleased  to  see  you." 

"  In  this  costvxme  ?  Shall  I  not  change 
my  dress  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  By  no  means.  I  am  curious  to  see  if 
you  can  be  readily  recognized  in  your  pretty 
Vivandiere  uniform." 

"  Well  I'm  not  ashamed  of  it,"  said  she, 
as  she  accompanied  me  into  the  presence  of 
my  guest,  followed  by  Harry  Robeson. 

"  This  is  Virginia  Graham,"  said  I,  wish- 
ing to  test  Mr.  Warland's  penetration. 

He  arose  quickly  from  his  seat,  gave  one 
glance  at  the  Vivandiere,  and  without  utter- 
ing one  word,  stretched  forth  his  hands 
eagerly  towards  her. 

Virginia  rushed  towards  him,  and  fell 
upon  her  knees  before  him. 

"  Oh,  father,  forgive  me  !  " 

Simultaneously,  Harry  Robeson  was  by 
her  side,  craving  the  same  forgiveness. 

"  Forgive  you,  my  children  !  "  he  essayed, 
bursting  into  a  flood  of  joyous  tears  ;  "  yes, 
a  thousand  times.  Rise,  and  let  me  em- 
brace you  both.     God  is  kind.     He  smiles 


160 


upon  us.     Oh !  this  is  happiness 
pays  me  for  all  I  have  suffered." 

I  stood  and  looked  upon  this  heaven  of 
h\hs  with  unutterable  emotions.  Such  an 
exhibition  of  affection  I  had  never  witnessed. 
An  age  of  joy  was  condensed  into  those  few 
moments  of  inexpressible  rapture. 

"  Oh,  my  children,  my  children  !  you  will 
never  leave  me  more  !  "  he  continued,  after 
his  transports  had  subsided.  "  Ah,  I  had 
forgotten.  Isabel,  there  stands  Colonel 
Manly.  Go  and  embrace  him.  He's  a 
noble  fellow  !  " 

"  Embrace  Mm,  father  ?  "  she  said,  tim- 
idly, and  hesitating. 

"I  said — embrace  him.  Why  not?  He 
is  the  best  friend  you  have  iu  the  world — 
except  me." 

"  But,  father,  you  forget;  he  has  a  dear 
wife,  and  she  ought  to  be  happy  in  his  faith- 
ful love,"  she  replied,  blushingly,  and  in 
soft  accents. 

"  Yes,"  cried  the  old  man,  cheerily ;  "  and 
he  has  a  dear  sister,  too.  Isn't  your  name 
Isabel  Manly  ?  And  isn't  his  name  Manly, 
too  ?  I  tell  you  to  rush  into  his  arms ;  for 
he  is  your  brother  !  " 

"My — my  brother'^  Oh,  what  bliss  !  " 
she  exclaimed,  as  she  threw  herself  forward 
into  my  arms,  and  for  some  moments  we 
were  clasped  together,  and  exchanging  in- 
numerable kisses. 

"Oh,  my  sweet  sister,  I  now  understand 
why  I  have  so  deebly  loved  you  from  the 
first  moment  I  beheld  you." 

"  And  I,  too,  my  good,  kind  brother, 
know  why  I  have  conceived  so  great  an  af- 
fection for  you ;  why  I  have  so  often  prayed 
to  Heaven  to  guai-d  and  protect  you ;  why 
I  prevented  you  from  becoming  a  Spy ; 
why,  in  your  presence,  I  have  known  only 
unalloyed  happiness.  And  when  I  shall 
have  seen  your  dear  wife — my  darling  sis- 
ter— I  shall  make  her  so  happy  by  telling 
her  how  faithful  you  have  been  to  her,  how 
much  she  is  beloved  by  you." 

"  I  apprehend  she  would  not  have  thought 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 
It  re- 


so,  my  darling  Virginia — I  mean  my  dar- 
ling Isabel — had  she  discovered  how  devot- 
ed we  have  been  to  each  other.  Possibly  we 
may  be  the  first  to  inform  her  of  our  dear 
intimacy,  for  I  antif^ipate  her  arrival  in  New 
Orleans  before  another  week  has  pas.sed." 

"  You  don't  mean oh,  joy,  joy  !  But 

you  didn't  tell  me  of  this,  brother  !"  cried  Is- 
abel, almost  dancing  with  delight. 

"  No,  darling  ;  I  intended  to  give  you  an 
agreeable  surprise,"  I  replied;  "  but  I  m.ay 
myself  be  disappointed.  She  has  often  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  visit  me  in  camp,  but  I 
have  resolutely  opposed  it,  owing  to  the  per- 
ilous positions  in  which  our  army  has  been 
placed;  and,  also,  because  of  detentions  and 
other  difficulties  incident  hitherto  to  travel- 
ling. But  since  the  Mississippi  is  opened  to 
steamers  carrying  our  flag,  by  the  reduction 
of  Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg,  and  since 
there  is  no  probability  of  our  immediately 
being  ordered  to  a  more  active  and  danger- 
ous scene  of  operations,  I  have  written  to  her 
to  come  to  New  Orleans  by  the  first  favora- 
ble opportunity.  That  she  will  avail  herself 
of  it  I  feel  quite  certain." 

"Of  course  she  will,  brother;  what  a 
happy  family  we  shall  be,"  said  she,  in  a 
girlish  ecstacy. 

' '  You  forget,  Isabel,  that  you  and  Harry 
must  not  keep  me  from  home  many  days 
lonsrer,"  said  Mr.  Warland. 

"Yes;  but  you  forget,  too,  father,  that 
Harry  and  I  belong  to  the  Grand  Army  !  " 
answered  the  Vivandiere,  proudly.  "  We 
captured  Vicksburg,  didn't  we,  Harry  ?  " 

"  Every  body  says  that  you  did,  'Bel," 
answered  the  boy;  "  I  heard  some  soldiers, 
yesterday,  talking  about  the  ' '  Heroine  of 
Vicksburg."  I  asked Zeke  Longrange  who 
they  meant?  Said  he — "  They  mean  the 
Vivandiere  of  our  regiment,  to  be  sure." 

"  Bravo,  Harry,"  said  I.  "If  the  credit 
were  to  be  given  to  any  one,  where  all  were 
heroes  I  think  the  services  of  the  Spy  of  the 
Grand  Army  entitle  her  to  that  great  honor. " 

"Except  our  general,"  suggested  Harry.'* 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


161 


"  Yes,  we'll  agree  to  that  exception," 
8aid  I. 

"  Can  it  be  possible  that  you,  Isabel, 
were  the  Spy  that  is  so  much  talked  of  at 
Vicksburg  ?  "  asked  her  foster-father. 

"  I  believe  I  performed  a  little  service 
in  that  line,"  she  modestly  replied. 

"  How  dared  you  be  so  reckless  ?  But 
first  tell  me  what  induced  you  to  run  away 
from  home  ?  " 

"  There  were  three  reasons,  father  :  In 
the  first  place,  I  wished  to  rid  myself  of  the 
importunities  of  that  returned  Californian, 
with  his  bags  of  gold,  and  his  bricks  of 
silver,  whom  you  seemed  determined  that  I 
should  marry.  Secondly,  I  confess,  I  loved 
another,"  she  continued ;  "  one  to  whom  my 
love  was  pledged  when  I  was  at  school,  and 
only  fifteen  years  of  age." 

'Ah!  who  can  that  be  ?"  asked  the  old 
gentleman. 

"  Don't  father,  don't  press  that  question 
now.  You  shall  know  at  the  proper  time  ; 
and  I  shall  gain  your  consent  to  marry  him, 
too.  He's  a  man  of  brains,  for  which  I  have 
more  respect  than  a  mere  man  of  gold  and 
silver." 

"  Well,  what  was  your  third  motive  ? — 
We  will  waive  the  other  subject  for  the 
present,  as  you  appear  to  desire  it." 

"  My  third  was,  after  all,  the  grand  incen- 
tive that  led  me  to  commit  a  very  unfilial 
act,"  replied  Isabel,  in  tones  of  solemn  se- 
riousness. "  You  may  regard  it  as  very 
silly  and  fantastic,  but  I  could  no  more  resist 
its  influence  than  I  could  resist  loving  my 
brother  from  the  first  time  I  saw  him.  In 
the  early  part  of  this  terrible  war,  I  had  a 
vision,  a  dream,  a  revelation, — or  call  it 
what  you  will — to  enact  certain  parts  in  the 
greatest  military  drama  the  New  World  had 
ever  seen. 

I  was  reclining  upon  a  couch  one  after- 
noon, in  the  month  of  September,  1861, 
reading  a  federal  newspaper,  containing  ac- 
counts of  certain  great  military  operations 
which  were  in  progress,  when,  suddenly,  I 


heard,  as  if  in  the  distance,  patriotic  strains 
of  martial  music,  and  I  saw  a  mighty  host 
in  column, — glistening  with  all  the  panoply 
of  war — and  marching  in  good  order ;  but 
so  far  distant  from  me ,  that  they  seemed 
scarcely  Lilliputian  in  size.  I  beheld  the 
van,  the  centre,  and  the  rear,  pass  distinctly 
in  view  before  my  eyes,  and  saw  one  after 
another  disappear  through  a  thick  wood,  and 
then  re-appear  upon  an  open  plain.  It 
gladdened  my  heart  to  see  that  their  flagn 
were  red,  white  and  blue,  and  that  they  had 
all  the  stripes  and  all  the  stars. 

"Then  I  beheld — arrayed  upon  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  field — another  mighty  host 
of  armed  men,  and  I  heard  therefrom  strains 
of  music,  volatile,  discordant  and  spiritless, 
commingled  with  boasting  cries  and  infernal 
anathemas.  Their  flags  flaunted  ungrace- 
fully in  the  pure  air  of  a  bright  summer 
morning,  and  they  seemed  dwarfed,  and  but 
an  ill-devised  burlesque  upon  the  heaven- 
bom  banner  of  our  great  republic.  I  then 
heard  the  thundering  of  mighty  artillery,  the 
rattling  of  musketry,  the  clashing  of  sabres, 
the  cries  of  the  wounded,  and  the  yells  and 
shouts  of  the  combatants.  The  scene  was 
soon  veiled  from  my  sight  by  a  dense  cloud 
of  smoke.  Anon  it  cleared  away,  and  I  saw 
only  the  battle-field,  strewn  with  the  dead 
and  dying  men,  and  detachments  of  soldiers 
either  burying  the  slain,  or  bearing  away  the 
wounded.  I  saw  a  drummer-boy  bearing 
his  wounded  companion  upon  his  shoulder 
to  the  rear.  Anon,  the  drummer-boy  was 
changed  into  a  Vivandiere,  and  later  into  a 
spy,  sojourning  in  the  enemy's  country ;  but 
I  beheld  above  him  a  bright  angel,  with 
wide-spread  wings,  and  in  his  hand  a  flaming 
sword,  which  I  saw  was  his  protector.  Sud- 
denly the  youth  came  to  a  pellucid  spring  of 
water,  and  after  filling  his  canteen  therefrom, 
he  stooped  over  to  slake  his  thirst  from  the 
mirror-like  surface.  He  beheld  his  face 
vividly  reflected  therein.  That  face  was 
mine.  Then  I  heard  a  voice  say — and  it 
was    the  voice  of  my  guardian  angel, — 


162 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


"Arise,  daughter.  Your  country  calls.  Dis- 
giiisc  yourself ;  seek  tbe  nearest  military  post, 
and  proffer  tliy  services.  I  will  shield  thee 
from  harm  in  every  hour  of  peril." 

"  Why,  sister,  I  shall  be  almost  a  believer 
in  dreams  after  this,"  I  remarked. 

"  Brother,  if  that  was  a  dream,  it  seemed 
uHiike  all  other  dreams,  at  least  in  one  re- 
rpect — it  did  not  vanish  from  my  memory. 
It  clung  to  my  mind  with  as  much  tenacity 
aa  if  it  had  been  deeply  engraven  on  its  tab- 
lets. Besides,  I  cannot  recognize  that  par- 
ticular state  of  my  mind  with  sleep ;  for  when 
the  sound  of  that  commanding  voice  ceased, 
I  appeared  to  be  in  as  full  possession  of  my 
faculties  as  I  am  at  this  moment ;  and  I  tried 
several  tests  to  convince  myself  that  I  must 
have  been  slumbering,  but  the  tests  only 
went  to  convince  me,  that  I  had  a  vision 
while  I  was  fully  awake.  Had  it  been  only 
a  dream  I  could  have  resisted  its  influence, 
but  being  fully  impressed  that  it  was  some- 
thing more,  I  could  not  for  many  days  resi.st. 
I  made  my  preparations  in  secret,  and  stud- 
ied the  proposed  route  of  my  flight  with 
great  care  ;  and  watching  the  most  favorable 
opportunity  I  sat  out  from  my  home,  like 
Joan  of  Arc,  to  join  the  gallant  defenders 
of  my  country.  Moreover,  that  which  my 
vision  chose  to  show  me,  has  been  fully  veri- 
fied. On  the  day  following,  to  my  infinite 
Burprise,  my  dear  Hariy  joined  me.  How 
he  became  master  of  my  secret  intentions,  he 
has  never  told  me." 

"  I  can  tell  you  now,  'Bel,  that  I  had  a 
vision,  too,  describing  many  things  that  I 
.'ifterwards  saw  and  experienced,"  answered 
Harry  Robeson.  "  It  told  me  to  follow  you, 
and  the  way  to  go;  and  I  could  not  help 
going." 

In  fervent  congratulations,  in  expressions 
of  joy,  in  mutual  explanations,and  in  rehears- 
ing the  incidents  of  one  and  another's  career, 
during  the  memorable  campaign  we  had 
passed  through,  occupied  the  greater  portion 
of  the  time  during  that  day  of  happiness. 

Thrice  during  the  day  we  received  bulle- 


tins concerning  Dr.  Glenfield's  health,  the 
last  being  aiore  favorable  than  those  which 
preceded  it. 

Aunt  Clemmy  shared  in  the  general  joy 
when  she  was  made  to  comprehend  the  reve- 
lations of  that  eventful  day;  and  I  am  sure 
that  during  the  hours  of  repose,  on  the  night 
that  succeeded,  none  but  pleasant  visions 
visited  us  in  our  slumbers. 

On  the  following  morning,  a  brief  note 
received  from  Dr.  Glenfield,  satisfied  us 
that  the  profes':ional  predictions  which  had 
been  made  in  regard  to  his  health  were  fully 
realized,  for  he  informed  me  that  he  should 
venture  to  make  us  a  call  during  the  day. 

At  the  usual  hour,  the  Vivandiere,  little 
Hai-ry  and  myself  went  to  dress  parade.  She 
was  attired  in  her  usual  military  costume, 
and  conducted  herself  with  her  usual  dig- 
nity. After  the  parade  was  over,  Mr.  War- 
land,  myself  and  Harry  took  a  stroll  over  the 
city,  visiting  the  several  encampments  and 
other  places  of  interest. 

From  two  to  three  hours  were  thus  con- 
sumed. When  we  returned,  we  found  Dr. 
Glenfield  and  Isabel  enjoying  as  we  thought, 
a  very  agreeable  tete-a-tete.  She  was  no 
longer  dressed  as'a  Vivandiere,  but  in  gar- 
ments becoming  a  lady. 

"Welcome doctor,"  said  I.  "We  con- 
gratulate you  on  your  speedy  recoveiy  ;  but 
we  had  such  a  fright.  I  was  really  concern- 
ed about  you,  and  so  were  we  all.' 

"  I  thank  you,  my  kind  friends,  for  your 
solicitude  on  my  account.  Be  assured,  I 
shall  ever  appreciate  it." 

"  By  the  by,  doctor,  has  this  young  lady 
been  letting  you  into  our  family  secrets  ?  "  I 
askd  jocosely. 

"  I  certainly  have  heard  a  chapter  of  mar- 
vels," he  replied;  "but  I  apprehend  she 
has  one  secret  not  yet  revealed  to  you." 

"What  is  it,  doctor?  Divulge,  sister! 
We'll  have  no  more  hidden  mysteries  !"  said 
I.  "  I  ask  pardon,  Dr.  Glenfield — I  have 
not  introduced  you  to  my  dear  sister's  foster- 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


1C3 


father — Mr.  Augustus  Warland,  Dr.  Glen- 
field,  the  best  surgeon  in  the  union  army." 

They  grasped  each  other's  hands  cordially, 
and  exchano;ed  cono;ratulations. 

"  But  what  is  this  secret  ?  "  asked  the  old 
gentleman,  after  he  had  reseated  himself. 
"  As  the  colonel  says  we  must  have  no  more 
mysteries." 

"  Well,  father  and  brother,"  said  Isabel, 
while  a  tide  of  crimson  suffused  her  cheeks, 
"Dr.  Glenfield  and  I  are  much  better  ac- 
quainted with  each  other  than  you  have  sup- 
posed. In  fact  he  is  the  gentleman  I  pre- 
ferred for  a  suitor  rather  than  the  gold-laden 
lover  you  had  chosen  for  me." 

"  How  is  this  ? — I  knew  nothing  of  it — I 
never  saw  the  doctor  before  to  my  knowl- 
edge," said  Mr.  Warland. 

' '  We  commenced  our  intimacy,  while  I 
was  away  at  school,  and,  although  we  had 
not  seen  each  other  for  some  four  years,  we 
kept  up  a  correspondence  until  he  gave  his 
professional  services  to  his  country.' 

"  And  I,  stupid  tellow,"  added  the  doctor, 
"  attended  upon  her  professionally — at  least 
on  one  occasion — and  saw  her  forty  times 
afterwards  without  recognizing  in  her  my 
young  inamorata  of  fifteen  that  I  had  known 
when  she  was  at  the  Seminary  in  my  native 
town ;  and  my  first  knowledge  of  who  she 
was  came  from  the  lips  of  a  dying  traitor 
and  deserter — one  Major  Jenefer, — whose 
one  great  faculty  was,  in  being  able  to  know 
a  face,  once  seen,  ever  after wai'ds ;  while 
my  great  weak  point  is  in  not  being  able  to 
recognize  faces — sometimes  even  of  my  best 
friends." 

"  But  I,  doctor,  knew  you  from  the  first 
and  resolved  not  to  reveal  myself,  until  I 
could  do  so  in  proper  womanly  habiliments," 
said  Isabel ;  ' '  and  to  take  time  to  thus'  array 
myself,  was  the  only  reason  why  I  did  not 
accompany  my  father  and  brother  in  their 
wallc  this  morning." 

"  I  now  understand,  my  dear  sister,  why 
it  was  that  you  stole  a  march  on  me,  yester- 
day morning,"  said  I,  really  overjoyed  that 


Isabel  had  bestowed  her  aflfectioos  so  wisely ; 
"  but  you  must  admit  that  it  was  reckless 
in  you  to  thus  hazard  your  precious  life." 

"  What  cared  I  for  my  life,  when  his  was 
in  danger?  "  was  her  reply. 

"  Well,  I  must  confess  that  matters  are 
getting  a  little  more  interesting  here  than  I 
anticipated,"  remarked  Mr.  Warland,  grave- 
ly. "I  no  sooner  find  my  daughter  than  [ 
find,  also,  that  there  is  a  prospect  of  my 
losing  her.  If  Isabel  can  brave  Yellow 
Jack,  she  would  not  scruple  to  brave  her 
foster-father.  I  have  learned  that  girls  will 
have  their  own  way  ;  and  in  this  particular 
case  I  must  make  a  virtue  of  necessity,  and 
give  my  hearty  and  cordial  assent  to  your 
wishes.     What  say  you,  colonel?  " 

"  That  Doctor  Glenfield  is  a  noble  fellow, 
and  well  worthy  of  the  best  and  most  accom- 
plished lady  in  the  land ;  and  I  shall  be 
proud  to  rank  him  as  my  brother-in-law. 
What  say  you,  Harry  ?  " 

'  *  Oh  !  let's  have  a  wedding  by  all  means,  * ' 
replied  the  youth.  "  I  know  how  much 
my  sister  loves  the  doctor." 

"  And  I  know  how  much  the  doctor  loves 
the  sister!"  added  Glenfield;  "and  your 
suggestion  of  a  wedding  is  worthy  of  being 
taken  into  serious  consideration.  What  say 
you,  Isabel ?  " 

"  I  have  become  so  much  accustomed  to 
change  my  name  of  late,"  replied  Isabel, 
blushing  ;  "  that  to  change  it  once  more, 
will  not  be  inconsistent  with  my  character." 

"  For  the  last  time,  I  trust,"  added  the 
doctor. 

"  Well,  my  friends,  this  is  what  I  call  set- 
tling a  matrimonial  affair  in  a  sensible,  busi- 
ness-like manner,"  remarked  Mr.  Warland. 
"  And  the  sooner  this  happy  affair  is  con- 
summated the  more  agreeable  will  it  be  for 
me,  for  I  must  be  off,  up  the  river,  in  a  few 
days.  Without  consultation  I  give  you,  Is- 
abel, just  one  week  for  preparation — not  a 
day  more.  And  here,"  added  the  old  gea- 
tleman,  drawing  forth  a  well-filled  pocket 
book,  and  counting  out  five  one  thousand 


164 


VIRGINIA    GRAHAM  ;    OR,    THE 


dollar  greenbacks,  which  he  placed  in  her 
hands,  "  here's  a  trifle  for  your  trousseau; 
and  before  you  commence  house-keeping, 
draw  on  me  for  a  like  amount?  " 

There  was  no  appeal  from  this  decision, 
and  this  act  of  generosity.  The  wedding 
d.jy  was  appointed,  and  preparation  for  the 
approaching  nuptials  was  immediately  com- 
menced, and  prosecuted  by  a  formidable 
corps  of  milliners,  dress-makers,  seamstresa- 
63,  &e. 

Julian  Manly  thus  concludes  his  narra- 
tive. He  permits  his  araanuensiis  to  tell  the 
rest  of  the  story  in  his  own  way. 


On  the  day  preceding  that  of  the  nuptial 
ceremony,  a  large  passenger  steamer  arrived 
at  New  Orleans  from  St.  Louis.  She  had 
been  announced  by  telegram  from  one  of 
the  nearest  ports  above,  consequently,  before 
she  made  her  landing,  quite  an  assemblage 
of  people  and  carriages  were  standing  on  the 
levee. 

There  was  an  interchange  of  signals,  by 
waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  hats  between 
Beveral  of  the  passengers  on  the  steamer,  and 
friends  who  had  anticipated  their  arrival,  on 
the  shore. 

There  waa  but  one  passenger,  however, 
who  claims  our  especial  attention :  a  lady 
of  surpassing  beauty,  her  face  wreathed  in 
joyous  smiles,  and  so  elated  with  having  rec- 
ognized a  noble  looking  officer  ashore,  who 
had  also  recognized  her,  that  she  seemed  like 
one  ready  to  fly  from  the  promenade-deck 
to  the  levee. 

The  moment  that  the  plank  touched  the 
febore,  tjie  officer  rushed  aboard,  and  darted 
up  the  companion-way,  and  as  he  reached  the 
upper  deck,  the  lady  with  whom  he  had  been 
exchanging  signals  waa  quickly  enfolded  in 
his  manly  arms  ! 

This  exhibition  of  joy  was  so  intense  that 
several  of  the  passengers  contemplated  the 
happy  scene  with  more  than  ordinary  emo- 
tions. 

It  is  quite  unbeccessary  to  inform  the 


reader  that  our  herioc  colonel  had  thus  met 
his  noble,  beautiful,  and  devoted  wife  ;  she 
who  had  journeyed  thousands  of  miles  to  .see 
him,  rather  than  solicit  him  to  ask  leave  of 
absence  from  his  post  of  duty. 

A  carriage  was  in  waiting  for  them  oo  the 
levee,  and  after  a  short  drive  they  alighted 
at  his  quarters  on  Jackson  Square,  where  the 
lady  was  at  once  introduced  to  her  sister-in- 
law,  Isabel,  Mr.  Warland,  Master  Ilarry, 
and  Doctor  Glenfield. 

The  meeting  was  a  highly  felicitous  one, 
and  the  lady's  arrival  was  not  only  a  mo<t 
opportune  one,  in  consideration  of  the  great 
event  appointed  for  the  next  day,  but  a  most 
happy  addition  to  the  colonel's  military 
family. 

•'  Well,  my  dear  sister,  how  are  you  pleas- 
ed with  my  wife  ? "  whispered  the  colonel 
into  the  ear  of  our  heroine,  after  an  hour 
had  passed  in  mutual  felicitation. 

"Julian,  she's  an  angel!  I  fell  in  love 
with  her  at  first  sight !  You  ought  to  be 
very  happy  and  very  proud  in  the  possession 
of  so  beautiful  and  interesting  a  lady!" 
was  Isabel's  enthusiastic  and  heartfelt  re- 
sponse. 

"I  am,"  said  he;  then  removing  to  a 
seat  by  the  side  of  his  wife,  he  put  a  simi- 
lar question,  sotto  voce,  to  her  : 

"  Mary,  my  dear,  how  do  you  like  our 
sister?" 

"Ah,  Julian,  she's  the  brightest  and 
loveliest  of  all  her  sex,  so  far  as  my  knowl- 
edge goes  !  How  proud  I  shall  be  to  call 
her  sister !  and  I  shall  love  her,  too,  almost 
as  well  as  I  do  her  brother !  "  was  the  wife's 
prompt  and  heartfelt  answer. 

On  the  following  day,  at  the  hour  of  eleven, 
in  the  presence  of  the  colonel's  family  and 
a  few  invited  guests,  Surgeon-General  George 
Glenfield  and  Miss  Isabel  Manly  Warland 
were  daily  united  in  the  holy  banns  of  mat- 
rimony. 

A  grand  reception  followed,  and  scores  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen  called  to  congratulate 
the  bride  and  bridegroom  on  the  happy  event, 


SPY    OF    THE    GRAND    ARMY. 


165 


and  to  be  sumptuoxisly  entertained  by  the 
gallant  colonel. 


Three  years  passed  away,  and  war's  dread 
alarms  had  ceased.  The  gallant  Sherman 
and  his  brave  hosts  had  passed  through  the 
heart  of  the  confederacy;  Lee  and  John- 
ston had  capitulated  ;  and  the  starry  em- 
blem of  the  republic  once  more  waved  over 
all  the  scrongholds  of  the  rebellious  states. 

It  was  then  that  Doctor  Glenfield  and  his 
accomplished  wife  seized  the  opportunity  to 
visit  Magnolia  Villa,  in  the  suburbs  of  the 
city  of  Jackson.  The  surprise  of  Marietta 
Marland  was  only  equalled  by  the  joy  she 
manifested  in  once  more  embracing  the 
"  Spy  of  the  Grand  Army,"  and  in  receiv- 
ing her  and  her  noble  husband  as  her  most 
welcome  guests.  The  visit  was  prolonged 
for  nearly  three  weeks,  and  as  may  be  sup- 
posed there  was  a  most  free  interchange  of 
sentiments  of  both  a  public  and  private  na- 
ture. 

Among  the  many  visitors  to  the  villa  dur- 
ing their  stay,  none  was  so  constant  as  Louis 
Lamar,  late  colonel  in  the  confederate  army, 
who  had  not  only  exchanged  his  uniform  of 
grey  and  gold  for  the  more  respectable  habil- 
iments of  a  citizen,  but  had  also  become  so 
disgusted  with  the  rebellion  and  its  leaders 
and  their  cause,  that  he  bad  taken  a  solemn 


vow  never  to  take  up  arms  again,  except  in 
defence  of  the  Union. 

Marietta  Marland  believed  him  a  true  pen- 
itent, and  she  also  believed  that  he  had  been 
originally  seduced  or  coerced,  like  thousands 
of  others,  from  his  allegiance  to  the  federal 
government,  by  bold,  designing  men,  through 
means  which  were  not  safely  resistible.  Under 
these  circumstances  the  heiress  of  Magnolia 
Villa,  after  much  devotion  and  earnest  so- 
licitation on  his  part,  consented  at  some  cer- 
tain day  to  link  her  fortune  with  his. 

On  quite  a  number  of  occasions  the  entire 
party  had  the  pleasure  of  a  ride  through 
Jackson  and  its  suburbs  in  the  old  but  state- 
ly family  coach  of  the  Marlands.  CuiFee, 
with  all  his  dignity  and  pride,  officiated  as 
coachman,  and  if  he  was  happy  in  being  a 
freedman,  he  was  vastly  more  happy  in  be- 
ing retained  in  his  old  place,  under  his  kind 
and  considerate  mistress. 

And  now,  patient  reader,  after  informing 
you  that  Colonel  Manly  served  with  distinc- 
tion until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  retired 
with  a  brevet  major  general's  commission, 
and  that  be  is  now  an  influential  citizen  in 
one  of  the  large  cities  of  the  West,  having 
for  bis  neighbors,  Augustus  Warland's  fam- 
ily, and  also  the  family  of  Doctor  Glenfield, 
all  sufficiently  endowed  with  this  world's 
goods  and  blessings,  we  will  close  this  verita- 
ble chain  of  strange  incidents  and  heroic 
deeds. 


THE  BKD. 


FLORENCE  MARRY AT'S  BOOKS. 


Flokence  Marryat  is  now  well  known  to  the  reading  world  as  the  anther  of  five  well-written  nov 
els.  They  are  extremely  well-developed  fictions,  and  well  worth  the  time  employed  in  reading  them. 
They  are  distinct  stories,  without  parallelism,  having  nothing  in  common  but  their  style. 

Miss  MaukV/VT  possesses  great  talent  and  great  power  of  expression;  power  to  picture  to  our  minds 
the  conceptions  which  occupy  her  own.  Her  style  is  graphic,  nervous,  vital.  Added  to  these  merits  l» 
the  still  greater  one  of  progressiveness.  She  never  stands  still;  every  step  is  an  advance,  every  succeed- 
ing story  better  tlian  the  last.    Her  first  book, 

LOVE'S   CONFLICT, 

was  most  cordially  welcomed  by  the  London  Press,  was  added  to  "  Tauchnitz  "  famona  "  Collection  <rf 
British  Authors,"  and  was  reprinted  in  America  in  "  Loring's  Railway  Library." 

It  made  its  murk  at  (nice. 

The  atmosphere  of  this  book  is  pure  and  sweet,  the  delineation  of  character  fine,  the  Incidents  various; 
we  find  ourselves  surrounded  by  stately  yet  gentle  people,  well-born  and  well-bred.  Meaner  characters 
come  upon  the  stage,  but  they  only  serve  to  make  more  manifest  the  purity  of  the  others. 

We  tliouglit  her  talent  folly  established  when  we  read  her  second  book, 

TOO   GOOD  FOR  HIM; 

a  book  inculc^iting  the  grandest  deeds  of  mercy  and  nobility;  a  book  full  of  intense  life,  broad  and  deep 
experience,  heights  of  joy,  depths  of  woe;  and,  about  all  the  scenes  and  all  the  characters,  a  sweet 
pathos,  a  holy  charity.    Her  third  book, 

WOMAN  AGAINST  WOMAN, 

»B  ft  very  remarkable  one;  and  in  it  she  illustrates  what  all  of  us  have  too  often  seen,  that  woman  Is 
woman's  worst  enemy,  and  man  her  truest  friend.    The  life,  incidents,  and  characters  are  essentially 
ifinglish ;  the  latter  are  vividly  portrayed  and  consistently  carried  out  in  all  their  action. 
But  still  higher  does  our  author  go  when  she  gives  us  her  fourth  book. 


FOR-EVER  AND   EVER. 

A  Drama  of  Life.  In  this  story  Florence  Marryat  evinces  more  than  her  usual  power ;  and  from 
the  task  of  depicting  lives  full  of  error  and  sin,  side  by  side  with  lives  full  of  magnanimity  and  self-sac- 
rifice, unconscious  as  all  true  self-sacrifice  must  ever  be, —from  all  the  varied  scenes,  and  various  char- 
acters which  she  knows  so  well  how  to  portray,  leading  the  reader  oftentimes  to  the  contemplation  of 
vice  in  its  most  horrid  forms,  — from  all  this  plodding  through  the  mire,  she  rises  at  the  close  of  her  story 
to  the  Rweetest,  saddest  pathos,  the  sublimest  conceptions  of  souls  conquering  wrong,  out-growing  error, 
learning  through  work  and  wail  of  years  the  hard  lesson  of  submission.  "  Even  length  of  days  forever 
and  ever  "  is  the  motto  of  the  book  and  its  real  title.  It  teaches  the  highest  principles  of  morality  and 
charity.  The  acts  of  mercy  ajid  forgiveness  related  there  cause  the  heart  to  glow  with  enthusiasm.  The 
vicious  characters  but  act  as  foils  to  the  nobler  ones,  giving  the  latter  the  more  opportunities  for  the  ex- 
ercise of  their  noblest  traits.  In  this  novel,  as  in  Hfe,  people  sometimes  seem  aU  vile,  —  circumstances 
whoUy  cvU ;  yet  all  this  becomes  transformed  and  glorified  by  the  purity  and  lovingness  of  the  good. 


Their  magic  power  causes  the  one  faint,  almost  lost,  divine  spark  lo  shoot  forth  its  one  sad  ray;  develop! 
It,  by  and  by,  into  a  radiant  star;  and  finally  causes  it  to  make  warm  and  joyous  again  the  nature  but  just 
n«*\v  dark,  and  cold,  and  wretched.    Ihus  does  Florence  Makryat,  in  her  own  pesuliar  way,  and  from 
her  convictions  and  experience,  teach  the  lessons  true  souls  are  ever  teaching. 
We  think  all  will  agree  with  us  when  we  say  that  her  fifth  book  is  her  best. 

The  Confessions  of  Gerald  Estcomt 

How  long  the  man's  world  has  venerated  woman,  for  how  long  looked  upon  her  with  eyes  full  of  love, 
guarding  her  with  weapons  of  war,  and  holding  her  with  arms  of  absolute  strength !  and  yet  until  "  Jane 
Eyre"  made  its  appearance,  that  book  of  terrible  brain  muscle,  followed  by  Miss  Mulock's  "  John  Hali- 
fax," and  George  Eliot's  (Miss  Evans)  great  novel  of"  Adam  Bede,"  we  men  swore  by  Bulwer,  and  other 
of  the  masculine  goose-quills,  and  never  dreamed  that  any  woman  lived  who  had  observed  the  minut* 
shades  of  character  in  order  to  develop  the  plot  of  a  life  narrative.  It  is  true  that  Jane  Porter,  Miss 
Edgeworth,  and  that  rollicking  Irish  authoress,  weak  and  strong  Lady  Morgan,  and  Mrs.  Radclifle,  had 
meandered  through  the  superficial  and  reached  the  natural  results;  but  when  "Jane  Eyre  "  burst  upon 
the  literary  world,  and  its  author  was  found  out  to  be  a  woman,  man's  heart  called  upon  man's  brain  to 
join  in  a  willing  addition  of  gallantry,  and  our  loves  became  purified  by  the  process  of  intellectual  appre- 
ciation. 

Whoever  has  seen  a  photograph,  in  the  bookstores,  of  a  bright,  sunny  woman,  leaning  good  temperedly 
forward  over  the  back  of  a  chair,  will  have  seen  a  sun-ray  likeness  of 

FLORENCE  MARRYAT, 

Bhe  whsse  last  and  best  book, 

The  Cojifessions  of  Geralsl  Estcourt, 

is  lying  upon  our  table  as  we  write. 

This  book  is  indeed  her  best,  —  ma,^  'pe  |alled,  in-^ot,  as  "  best  "  as  anybody  can  write. 

It  is  a  book  with  great  touc&i^g  of  chaii>^i*'",  and  incidents  enough  to  charm  a  deeper  reader  than  the 
usual  time-killer  of  a  railway  train.  The  wife  passing  through  the  ordeal  of  a  husband's  family  jealousy ; 
the  husbaid  ruled  in  his  conduct  to  his  wife  by  his  mother,  type  of  that  proverbially  terrible  "  mother-in- 
law,"  so  well  known,  and  so  often  met  at  tea-tables,  —  the  fussy,  sarcastic,  ruling,  interfering  "  mother-in- 
law,"— is  painted  to  the  life ;  and  the  sisters-in-law  (legalized  relationship),  those  fearfully  fearless  poachers 
apon  knick-knacks  and  other  lying  around  pretty  things,  which  they  have  only  to  admire  to  obtain  from 
the  proud  brother,  —  wife's  property,  —  and  wife  willing  or  unwilling  of  not  the  slighest  consequence; 
and  then  it  is  glorious  reading  to  follow  up  the  course  of  Gerald,  first  as  boy,  afterward  through  all  the 
stages  of  his  difficult  course.  Father  taught,  mother  loved,  they  separated,  and  both  striving  for  the 
child  love  and  the  man's  love. 

How  powerfully  in  all  this  stands  forth  the  great  truth  that  woman  is  mother  as  much  of  the  man  as 
of  the  untoothed  baby  I  for  none  but  a  woman,  entering  into  the  maternal  moods,  assimilating  herself  ia 
the  maternal  needs,  could  carry  this  Gerald  through  all  he  has  to  pass  through,  comprehending  him, 
feeling  for  him,  and  with  the  subtle  force  of  supreme  nature,  making  us  participants  and  sympathizers  in 
all  tliat  appertains  to  her  model  or  her  instrument  of  intellectual  inspiration  and  conception. 

American  readers  will,  we  feel  assured,  seek  out  this  new  and  noblest  effort  of  the  great  sea-captain'a 
daughter ;  and  after  the  first  four  pages  are  got  through  with,  woe  betide  the  intruding  visitor  who  sbaQ 
break  the  rapt  attention  seeking  for  the  entire  context. 


LORDS  AND  LADIES. 


Bt  TDK  Author  of  "  Makgaret  and  her  Bridesjiaids,"  "  The  QdeenTo* 
THE  County,"  etc.,  etc.  • 


JTEAT  PAPER   COVERS.       PSICS  SBVENTT-FIVIS  CENTS. 


"Depend  npon  it,  squii-e,  there  is  neither  peace  nor  comfort  to  be  had  in 
a  house  overrun  by  petticoats."  Smoking  drew  forth  this  ungallant  speech, 
and  led  to  "  A  Challenge  "  between  the  "  Lords  and  Ladies." 

What  it  was,  how  it  was  carried  out,  how  it  ended,  makes  one  of  the  most 
delightful  stories  yo .      ''^  read. 

The  London  Post  3>^ 

"  ♦  Lords  and  Ladies'  is  one  of  the  ni.';;St-charixi.  '"h  the  literature 

of  Action  has  been  enriched  this  season. 

<'  The  truth  and  th^  value  of  the  moral  of  the  story^  will  .econunend  it  as  highly  as 
the  vivacity  and  humor  of  Its  style,  and  the  ingenuity  of  its  construction." 

The  London  Morning  Star  says  of  it :  — 

•'  A  most  amusing  novel.  The  plot  is  thoroughly  original,  worked  out  with  much 
humor  and  skill.  The  characters  are  capitally  drawn-  This  book  is  an  admhrabla  one 
fbr  tlie.holiday  time." 

"Puff"  and  "Luff"  will  live  in  the  memory  of  every  reader  of  thia 
th?oroughly  bewitching  English  noveL 


